FEI pays tribute to former Olympic champion Jan Kowalczyk (POL), 1941-2020

Jan Kowalczyk, the 1980 Olympic Jumping champion, passed away on 24 February 2020 after a lengthy battle against ill health. He was 79.

Born on 18 December 1941 in Drogomysl (POL), he started his equestrian career at eight years old at the National Stud in Drogomysl. He went on to become one of the most successful athletes in Polish equestrian history, participating in three editions of the Olympic Games: Mexico 1968, Munich 1972 and Moscow 1980.

At the Olympic Games in Moscow, the then 38-year-old Polish Army officer claimed individual Jumping gold with his horse Artemor and also led Poland to team silver.

Jan Kowalczyk won numerous international competitions, including at major venues such as Aachen, Rotterdam and London. He was also crowned Polish National Champion a record 16 times in Jumping and took individual gold twice in the Polish Eventing Championships.

“Jan Kowalczyk was a wonderful ambassador for equestrian sport in Poland and his gold-medal winning performance in the Olympic stadium Moscow with Artemor was truly astounding”, FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “He was and will remain an inspiration to young aspiring equestrians throughout Poland and we offer our sincere condolences on this sad loss.”

The FEI extends its deepest sympathy to Jan Kowalczyk’s family and many friends, to the Polish Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.

Photo caption: Olympic Champion Jan Kowalczyk (POL), seen here on his way to individual gold at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, has passed away at the age of 79. (© Photo Ernst/pferdebild.de)