Favorite Olympic Moment - Polish Pride!

Despite shoddy coverage by NBC (in my humble opinion), there were some unforgettable moments that struck me during this year's Winter Olympics. First was Shaun White's unbelievable half-pipe gold medal performance. Not only did he blow the field away, but rather than lay low on his 2nd run since he already had the gold in hand, he went all out and topped his first run. Second was the US men's hockey team surprising an over-confident Canada squad in their first meeting. The youngest team in the Olympics played with unmatched enthusiasm, heart, and grit. Then there was the amazing finish in the men's classic cross country ski 50K event. I don't think I've ever seen such intensity during a sprint finish as displayed by Norway's Peter Northug and Germany's Axel Teichmann. But, the most memorable moment for me was watching Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk edge out Norway's Marjit Bjoergen in a photo finish in the women's 30K cross country ski event. Both exchanged the lead down the final straight with each thrust of the ski poles, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats until Justyna's final efforts gave her a win by 0.3 seconds. Being half-Polish (Grabowski and Pankowski on my father's side) it was a great moment in sports history as Justyna became the first Polish woman to ever win a winter olympics gold medal. Gratulacje, Justyna!!!

Gold for Justyna! Photo by NBC Sports


Polish-American Athletes of Note in the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame

Baseball

• Oscar Bielaski (2005)
• Stan Coveleski (1976)
• Moe Drabowsky (1999)
• Mark Fidrych (2009)^[1]
• Steve Gromek (1981)
• Ted Kluszewski (1974)
• Tony Kubek (1982)
• Whitey Kurowski (1988)
• Bob Kuzava (2003)
• Eddie Lopat (1978)
• Stan Lopata (1997)
• Greg Luzinski (1989)
• Bill Mazeroski (1979)
• Barney McCosky (1995)
• Stan Musial (1973)
• Joe Niekro (1992)
• Phil Niekro (1990)
• Tom Paciorek (1992)
• Ron Perranoski (1983)
• Johnny Podres (2002)
• Ron Reed (2005)
• Jenny Romatowski (1999)
• Al Simmons (1975)
• Bill Skowron (1980)
• Frank Tanana (1996)
• Alan Trammell (1998)
• Alex Wolochowicz (1990)
• Carl Yastrzemski (1986)
• Richie Zisk (2004)

Basketball

• Vince Boryla (1984)
• Carol Blazejowski (1994)
• Mike Gminski (2003)
• Tom Gola (1977)
• Mike Krzyzewski (1991)
• Mitch Kupchak (2002)
• Bob Kurland (1996)
• Red Mihalik (1996)
• John Payak (1982)
• Kelly Tripucka (2000)

American Football

• Danny Abramowicz (1992)
• Pete Banaszak (1990)
• Steve Bartkowski (1993)
• Zeke Bratkowski (1995)
• Bob Brudzinski (2005)
• Lou Creekmur (2001)
• Zygmont Czarobski (1980)
• Mike Ditka (2001)
• Forest Evashevski (2000)
• Frank Gatski (1989)
• Jim Grabowski (1993)
• Jack Ham (1987)
• Leon Hart (1988)
• Vic Janowicz (1987)
• Ron Jaworski (1991)
• Joe Klecko (1999)
• Ed Klewicki (1982)
• Frank Kush (1998)
• Ted Kwalick (2005)
• Johnny Lujack (1978)
• Ted Marchibroda (1976)
• Lou Michaels (1994)
• Walt Michaels (1997)
• Dick Modzelewski (1986)
• Mike Munchak (2003)
• Bill Osmanski (1977)
• Frank Piekarski (2005)
• Bob Skoronski (2000)
• Hank Stram (1985)
• Dick Szymanski (1994)
• Frank Szymanski (1995)
• Frank Tripucka (1997)
• Steve Wisniewski (2004)
• Alex Wojciechowicz (1975)

Boxing

• Bobby Czyz (2009)
• Stanley Ketchel (1984)
• Teddy Yarosz (2005)
• Tony Zale (1975)

Source: Wikipedia, National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame