By Gary Anderson

September 23 - Polish cyclist Stanislaw Szozda died today at the age of 62Double Olympic silver medallist and former world time trial champion Stanisław Szozda has died at the age of 62, following a long illness, the Polish Cycling Federation (PZK) announced today.


Szozda, who would have turned 63 on Wednesday (September 25), had worked as a coach in the United States for a number of years following his retirement at the age of 28.

That came after he sustained a serious injury during the 1978 Peace Race - which took place in the Eastern Bloc states of Czechoslovakia, East Germany and Poland from 1948 to 1989 - and which he won in 1974.

The PZK described Szozda as "one of Poland's best cyclists in history", before adding that he had died after battling a "serious illness" for a number of months.

Szozda also recorded notable victories in the 1971 Tour of Poland, 1972 Tour of Algeria and Tour of Małopolska in 1976, as well claiming individual silver at the World Road Race Championships in 1973.

But the man from Dobromierz was best known for his performances in team time trial events.

Stanisław Szozda won two Olympic silver medals and two World Championship golds as part of the Polish time trial teamStanisław Szozda won two Olympic silver medals and two World Championship golds as part of the Polish time trial team





































In 1973 and again in 1975, Szozda was part of the Polish team that secured World Championship gold in the time trial and these victories were sandwiched between impressive Olympic performances.

At Munich 1972, Szozda was part of the Polish squad that bagged team time trial silver behind the Soviet Union before repeating the performance four years later in Montreal, again finishing behind the USSR.

Szozda had returned to live in his native country a number of years ago and was involved in the business world.

The nature of his illness was not disclosed by the PZK.

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