Despite Fighting Cancer, Track and Field Athlete Almost Donated Years of Olympic Struggle for Infant’s Life

Born and raised in a tiny village in northeast Poland—Maria Magdalena Andrejczyk—won hearts with her compassion. Despite being an ardent volleyball player, the Polish athlete was encouraged by her mother,  Malgorzata, a former 15m shot putter to take up track and field sport. Andrejczyk soon showed her potential on the international stage by winning an Olympic silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, her world took an unexpected turn when she chose to give up her silver alloy for a noble cause.

Andrejczyk, a cancer survivor, has dropped many life lessons and even shared how she could relate to the child who needed the auction money. Make notes as she explains what makes her keep an upbeat attitude from start to finish.

Track and Field star reflects on moment of compassion

Maria Andrejczyk won her first Olympic medal, a silver, in the women’s javelin throw final in August 2020, a heartfelt victory after losing out on bronze in 2016 by 2cms. But her success went beyond the field. Empathy led her to start fundraising for Miloszek MaÅ‚ysa, an 8-month-old Polish kid who needed heart surgery.

Her fight with cancer instilled in her a strong desire to help others who are suffering. On July 19, 2022, Eurosport shared her story on their YouTube channel, where she said: “I think my health problems made me want to help others because I understand what it’s like and how hard what i knew was that I wanted to help a tiny person who was in pain.”

By 2020, the Polish Olympian had faced several challenges; primarily the shoulder injury during the 2016 Rio Olympics. In addition, she had frequent headaches and nasal issues. In October of that year, a sinus X-ray revealed osteosarcoma, a kind of bone cancer. Andrejczyk underwent surgery and began throwing in competition by April 2019.

Maria Andrejczyk went on to explain, “I believe fate is sometimes very unfair when it gives great suffering to someone from the very beginning of their life on earth.” Andrejczyk revealed the bid on Facebook saying that she was selling her medal to fund surgery for Miloszek Malysa, who faced a birth defect.

Her goal of raising $190,000 through the medal auction drew global attention. While the Polish convenience store business Zabka was the highest bidder, they decided to donate the money and also return the silver medal to Andrejczyk. In a tweet, Zabka said, “We were moved by the beautiful and extremely noble gesture of our Olympian…we also decided that the silver medal from Tokyo will remain with Ms. Maria, who showed how great she is.” Their mutual generosity symbolizes the superiority of kindness over monetary wealth and was recognized worldwide, all the while her professional journey doubled her impression.

Javelin thrower’s determined rise in sport

Throughout her track and field career, Maria Andrejczyk was true to her “warrior” spirit. Despite barriers, she continued to excel, breaking national records and representing Poland globally. Her journey from the 2013 World U18 Championships to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a tireless pursuit of perfection. In her international debut at the 2013 World U18 Championships in Donetsk, she finished 26th overall. After high school, she took a gap year to train for the Rio Olympics, achieving a national record of 64.08 meters in Warsaw. Despite facing severe shoulder injuries, such as finishing 13th at the European Championships. And went on to make a national record in javelin throw of 67.11 m.

Andrejczyk’s determination helped her overcome a muscular injury surgery and a diagnosis of “soft cancer.” In the end, it all paid off with a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics. When speaking about her sport she says, “I still love that feeling of improving through training. Javelin has made me a better person. It brings me joy.”