Top Polish Olympian and IOC Member Irena Szewinska, 72

(ATR) Olympian Irena Szewinska is remembered as a gracious competitor on the track and a trusted colleague among IOC members.

Szewinska, 72, died June 29 at a Warsaw hospital after en extended illness with cancer.

She is Poland’s most decorated Olympian, with seven medals from the 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympics.

In 1998 she was elected to the IOC and served on the coordination commissions for the summer games.

"I am shocked and saddened about the loss of our dear Olympic friend Irena Szewinska. The entire Olympic family is in deep grief. Irena will be remembered forever as an outstanding personality in both capacities as athlete and IOC Member," says IOC President Thomas Bach in a statement.

"With her gentleness and modesty, she was a real role model dedicating her whole life to sport. As such she was inspiring athletes and women around the world. I could personally experience this over many years and I will always keep fond memories of the time we spent together.

Bach says the Olympic flag at IOC headquarters will be lowered for three days.

Szewinska was born in what was then Leningrad, but grew up in Poland. Her mother was Ukranian, her father Polish.

The 18-year old Irena Kirszenstein made a stunning debut at the Tokyo Olympics, winning gold in the 4X400m relay team and silver medalist in the 200m and the long jump. She won bronze medals in 1968 and 1972. She decided to specialize in the 400m event, for which she claimed the gold medal at the 1976 Games. She competed in Moscow in 1980, but failed to advance to the final heat.

In her career she set 10 world records, including national marks that still stand.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe calls her a friend and a great competitor who inspired new generations of femaleathletes.

Szewinska was a long-time member of the IAAF Council with Coe. From 2005 to 2012 she visited London frequently as a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for the 2012 Olympics, headed by Coe.

"One of my abiding memories of Irena in recent years was taking the IOC coordination commission on a visit to the London 2012 Olympic Park early in its construction," Coe is quoted in a remembrance of Szewinska posted at iaaf.org.

"Behind the safety fence work continued as the team explained where the venues would emerge. We suddenly noticed that work had stopped and a large group ofconstruction workers headed towards us. We all smiled ready to shake hands, but they ignored the rest of us and made a beeline for Irena. Our large Polish workforce instantly recognized a national hero in our small corner of London and she stayed and talked to each and everyone of them," Coe says.

Szewinska was also a member of the IOC Sport for All Commission chaired by Sam Ramsamy of South Africa.

"She was an extraordinary person. Always willing to engage in any discussion," Ramsamy tells Around the Rings.

"She was remarkably humble and posed a kind of humility which showed to people she was very ordinary; no display that she won seven Olympic medals. We will miss her presence at our Commission meetings. Although ill she never sought sympathy. God bless Irena," says Ramsamy.

In 2016 Szewinska was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest honor.

Plans for services have not yet been disclosed.

She is survived by two children and her husband Janusz, who traveled often with her to IOC events.

Her death puts the IOC membership at 98.

Reported by Ed Hula.

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