POLAND OLYMPIC TEAM - Paris 1924 [rarity].

PATRIOTIC AND SPORTS POSTCARD

JEUX OLYMPIQUES DE 1924

EQUIPE DE POLOGNE

Uncirculated, excellent, minor creasing.

Format: 14x9 cm

The French Games were the first at which the Polish national team officially performed. At the earlier ones we were either not invited (part of the Russian Empire) or, as in 1920, as a young country we preferred to focus on defending our own borders (to fend off the Red Army offensive). The year 1924 and the slogan "To Paris for learning and experience" a 75-member team of Polish athletes leaves. Interestingly, a social collection organized to cover the cost of the trip reached an amount greater than the state subsidy. Poles competed in 10 disciplines: boxing, equestrianism (hippica), cycling, athletics, soccer, shooting, fencing, rowing, wrestling and sailing. Most of the results achieved were, unfortunately, unsatisfactory. Boxers, footballers and athletics fell out in the run-ups. Hopeful positions were taken, however, by Waclaw Okulicz-Kozaryn - he placed 7th in middleweight wrestling. The only Polish sailor, Edward Bryzemejster, took 9th place, and the same place was taken by a Polish shooter, Marian Borzemski. However, the first historic medals for the Polish team were won by representatives of the cycling team composed of: Jozef Lange (5th place in the individual 50km race) Jan Lazarski, Tomasz Stankiewicz and Franciszek Szymczyk - a silver medal. The bronze medal was won by our rider, considered one of the best in Europe Adam Królikiewicz. However, the only woman in the Polish national team was Wanda Dubienska.