Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak

Who was Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak?

Zdzisław Ludwik Krzyszkowiak was a Polish track and field athlete, winner of 3000 metre steeplechase at the 1960 Summer Olympics.

Born in Wielichowo, Greater Poland Voivodeship, Krzyszkowiak won 13 Polish National Championships titles in long distance and cross country events.

Krzyszkowiak rose into the international athletics scene at the 1956 Summer Olympics, where he missed the bronze medal by 7.4 seconds, finishing fourth. At the 1958 European Championships in Athletics, Krzyszkowiak established himself as one the best European long distance runners, winning both 5000 m and 10 000 m.

Just two months before the Rome Olympics, Krzyszkowiak ran his first world record, clocking 8:31.4 in 3000 m steeplechase. At the Olympics itself, Krzyszkowiak finished seventh in 10 000 m, but won, as a main favourite, the 3000 m steeplechase.

After the Olympics, Krzyszkowiak decided to concentrate only to 3000 m steeplechase event, running his second world record in 1961, but was forced to retire from sports prematurely in 1963 due to his injuries. After his running career, Krzyszkowiak worked as a coach. Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak died in Warsaw, aged 73.