His successes included two Olympic gold medals in the men's triple jump, in 1960 and 1964, and two European championship golds, in 1958 and 1960.
Szmidt made history on August 5, 1960, when he set a new world triple jump record, breaking the 17-metre barrier at a competition in Olsztyn, northern Poland. His best effort of 17.03 metres was 33 cm better than the previous world record.
Several weeks later, Szmidt took the Olympic gold in Rome with a new Olympic record of 16.81 metres.
Four years later, at the Tokyo Games, he defended his title despite undergoing knee surgery just three months earlier.
During his long career, Szmidt also represented Poland at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, where he placed seventh with a best jump of 16.89.
Szmidt was named Poland’s best athlete in 1960 and 1964. Hailed as a national hero, he was showered with state awards after his Olympic triumphs.
However, in the 1970s, he began to struggle with various adversities, including difficulty finding a good job.
His German family roots became the subject of nasty personal comments from various circles. In 1975, he decided to leave the country for Germany.
After returning to Poland in 1992, he bought a farm in the village of Zagozd in the north of the country, where he raised a herd of goats.
He passed away there, a week after the death of his wife. He is survived by two sons.
(mk/gs)