Bronisław Malinowski — Olympic gold medalist

Part V: International track and field meet (Poland-Canada-United Kingdom) in Warsaw, Poland, June 30, 1974

The most valuable autograph I obtained that day was, without question, the signature of Bronisław Malinowski (1951–1981), an outstanding Polish middle- and long-distance runner who specialized in the 3000-metre steeplechase. He won the silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and went on to claim gold at the 1980 Moscow Games in the same event.

Bronisław Malinowski
The note says, "Third place, 5,000 meters"

I remember very clearly how I managed to obtain his autograph. After the competition, already outside the stadium, I spotted Malinowski standing in line at a soda water stand—what was then commonly known in Poland as a saturator. To my surprise, he drank several glasses of water one after another. I found this somewhat puzzling—were athletes not provided with drinks after their events? In any case, it presented a perfect opportunity, and I was able to approach him and obtain his autograph without difficulty.

This is perhaps a good moment to explain what these saturators were, as they were a distinctive feature of everyday life in communist-era Poland and may be unfamiliar to non-Polish readers. These were mobile street stands, typically mounted on two-wheeled carts, equipped with a tank of pressurized carbon dioxide, water containers, and glass jars containing flavored syrups—most commonly raspberry and lemon. The vendor would dispense carbonated water, either plain or mixed with syrup, into reusable glass tumblers. Large umbrellas often provided shade for the operator.

Saturator. Source: Wikimedia Commons

Such stands were extremely popular in Warsaw and other cities. At the time, a glass of plain soda water cost 30 groszy, while one with syrup cost one złoty. After each use, the glass was only briefly rinsed—without detergent—which, unsurprisingly, raised serious hygiene concerns. As a result, people jokingly referred to this drink as “gruźliczanka” (roughly, “tuberculosis water”), reflecting a widespread skepticism about cleanliness.

Self-service soda machines.
Source: Wikipedia Commons

There were also self-service soda machines. One would insert a coin, press a button, and receive a drink. I remember two such machines standing for some time at the northeast corner of Świerczewskiego and Żelazna streets in Warsaw, next to a district office building. Unfortunately, they were often out of order or missing glasses. Some users discovered that instead of inserting a coin, a well-placed punch could sometimes trigger the mechanism—and, remarkably, this method occasionally worked.

Self-serve saturator in the Soviet Union in 1987
Source:  “A Day in the Life of the Soviet Union”, photo by Paul Chesley

These types of machines were also produced in the Soviet Union and widely used there. In the well-known photographic album “A Day in the Life of the Soviet Union”—a collection of images taken by leading international photojournalists on a single day, May 15, 1987—there is a photograph by Paul Chesley showing several girls standing by such machines. The accompanying caption explains that Soviet vending machines dispensed soda or juice but did not provide disposable cups; instead, users were expected to rinse and reuse a shared glass. Bringing one’s own glass was reportedly considered “uncultured,” meaning a breach of unwritten social etiquette.

In Poland, I do not recall this being seen as particularly improper, but at the same time, I do not remember anyone actually bringing their own glass.

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Returning to Bronisław Malinowski—his life ended tragically. He died in a car accident on September 27, 1981, on a bridge in the city of Grudziądz. I remember that day vividly. A television program—possibly a sports broadcast—was on, hosted by Tomasz Hopfer. At one point, he received a phone call, and shortly afterward, he announced the shocking news to viewers.

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There is one more deeply personal memory connected with that day at the stadium. Some time later, at a Ruch kiosk (a typical state-run newsstand in Poland), I came across a postcard featuring Malinowski and needless to say, bought it. It included a portrait, an action shot of him clearing a steeplechase barrier, and a printed reproduction of his signature.

Something prompted me to take a closer look—and suddenly I had a moment of revelation.

Postcard with Bronisław Malinowski as well as my father and myself

The photograph had been taken by Janusz Szewiński, the husband of the legendary sprinter and multiple Olympic medalist Irena Szewińska—at the very same Skra stadium, during the very same event I had attended.

My father and myself

But that was not all. On the left side of the image, I was able to recognize… myself and my father. When I showed the postcard to my mother, she identified us almost immediately. Although our figures are somewhat blurred, I clearly remember where we had been sitting—directly opposite the water jump. Even more striking, a vendor selling snacks or small items can be seen nearby, along with his entire setup—I remember him well.

And so that single day, seemingly ordinary at the time, turned out to be filled with remarkable coincidences and memories that have only grown more meaningful with the passing years.

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Henryk Lesiuk — Polish long-distance runner

Part IV: International track and field meet (Poland-Canada-United Kingdom) in Warsaw, Poland, June 30, 1974

The next autograph belongs to Henryk Lesiuk. According to my note at the time, he was simply described as a “runner” who “on June 30, 1974, took first place in the steeplechase.” Under his signature, he himself added: “3000 (steeplechase) — 8:29.0,” indicating his result that day.

Henryk Lesiuk

Only many years later, thanks to easy access to information—especially through sources such as Wikipedia—was I able to learn much more about him. Henryk Lesiuk (born 1948) was a Polish track and field athlete, a long-distance runner specializing in the 3000-meter steeplechase, one of the most demanding running events, combining endurance with the technical skill required to clear barriers and the water jump.

He represented clubs such as Wisła Puławy and Legia Warsaw. It is worth noting that in the PRL era, sports clubs were often affiliated with specific state institutions—such as the military or large industrial enterprises—which formed an important part of the sports system at the time. Lesiuk was a three-time medalist at the Polish national championships in this event: he won gold in 1975, silver in 1971, and bronze in 1974.

His personal best in the 3000-meter steeplechase was 8:26.6, achieved on June 29, 1975—just one year after our meeting at the Skra stadium. This means that the time recorded on my autograph was only slightly slower than his lifetime best, which gives this small memento an added significance.

Today, I see this signature not merely as an autograph, but as a small fragment of history—both of Polish athletics and of my own childhood, lived in a very different world.

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Yvonne Saunders-Mondesire — Canadian track and field athlete

Part III: International track and field meet (Poland-Canada-United Kingdom) in Warsaw, Poland, June 30, 1974

I quite clearly remember the moment when I approached this female athlete to ask for her autograph—she was one of the very few women present at the meet that day. That athlete was Yvonne Saunders-Mondesire (born 1951), a remarkably versatile competitor who took part in a wide range of events, including the pentathlon, long jump, high jump, and the 400- and 800-metre races. Wow!

Yvonne Saunders-Mondesire
The note I made at the time reads: “Runner — on June 29, 1974, she won first place in the 400 meters with a time of 51.19.” Remarkably, just several days before — on June 22, 1974, at the very same venue — Irena Szewińska set a new world record in the 400 meters, clocking 49.9 seconds and becoming the first woman ever to break the 50-second barrier. Dean Bauck mentioned this in his email to me (he was lucky to witness this achievement), which I included in a post two blog entries ago.
Incidentally, on October 6, 1985 in Canberra, Australia, Marita Koch from East Germany (GDR) set the 400 m world record of 47.60 seconds, which amazingly still remains one of the oldest records in track and field. Of course, some people have some doubts as to the fairness of her achievement...

Her athletic career was particularly interesting because she represented three different countries on the international stage: Jamaica, Canada, and England. Such changes in national representation, while less common today, did occur in that era due to personal circumstances, migration, or eligibility rules.

In 1971, she won two medals for Jamaica at the Pan American Games. A few years later, in 1974, she became Canadian champion in the 400 metres at the Commonwealth Games—an important multi-sport event bringing together athletes from across the former British Empire.

She competed in the Summer Olympics twice: in 1972 for Jamaica and in 1976 for Canada, making her an athlete with significant international experience, even if her name is not widely recognized today. She now lives in the United States.

Interestingly, her surname—Saunders—sounded familiar to me. And for good reason. Her younger brother, Mark Saunders, served as Chief of Police in Toronto from 2015 to 2020. It is a small but fascinating connection between the world of international athletics in the 1970s and contemporary Canadian public life.

Blogi są również dostępne w języku polskim/blogs are also available in the Polish language

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Kenneth “Ken” Wenman — Canadian pole vaulter and Lyle Sanderson, Canadian coach

Part II: International track and field meet (Poland-Canada-United Kingdom) in Warsaw, Poland, June 30, 1974

Kenneth “Ken” Wenman (born 1955) is a Canadian track and field athlete who specialized in the pole vault. His personal best of 5.33 metres was a very solid result for the mid-1970s, a period when pole vaulting techniques and equipment were still evolving rapidly.

Kenneth „Ken” Wenman

He represented Canada at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, competing in the men’s pole vault. In the qualifying round, he successfully cleared 4.80 m and 5.00 m, but failed all three attempts at 5.10 m. With a best height of 5.00 m, he placed ninth in his group and 22nd overall, which was not enough to advance to the final. It is worth noting that the level of competition was exceptionally high—the gold medal was won by Poland’s Tadeusz Ślusarski with a jump of 5.50 m.

Lyle Sanderson

The second autograph I obtained that day remains something of a mystery. It belongs to an unidentified athlete, most likely a foreign competitor. The name appears to read something like “Zyk Sanderoy,” although I cannot be certain of this interpretation. Beneath the signature is the word “Kanada”—interestingly spelled with a “K,” as it would be in several Central and Eastern European languages, rather than the English “C.”

Despite repeated attempts over the years and extensive searches using modern online resources, I have not been able to determine the identity of this athlete. It is quite possible that he was a lesser-known competitor who participated in only a limited number of international events and therefore left little trace in official records.

UPDATE

Literally just a few dozen minutes after publishing the above post in Polish, Notaria left a comment suggesting that the unidentified autograph might belong to Lyle Sanderson — and she was absolutely spot on!

My sincere thanks to Notaria for her detective-like insight and creative, out-of-the-box thinking. I had been searching exclusively among athletes, while, as it turned out, the signature belonged to a distinguished coach.

Lyle Sanderson

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Lyle Sanderson (1938–2018) was a legendary Canadian track and field and cross-country coach, educator, and mentor closely associated with the University of Saskatchewan and its Huskie Athletics program. Originally from Piapot, he first joined the university as a student-athlete in 1960 and became head coach in 1965, serving for 39 years.

He was one of the most successful coaches in Canadian university sports history, leading the Huskies to 33 conference titles and 10 national championships, including their first national title in 1968. He received many honours for coaching excellence and lifetime achievement.

Sanderson also represented Canada internationally 54 times at major events, including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan-American Games, FISU Games, and World Championships. He was known as a pioneer in coach education and athlete development, conducting clinics worldwide and helping shape youth athletics programs internationally.

He was inducted into several halls of fame, including the Canadian Track and Field Hall of Fame. Through the Sanderson Foundation, he supported student-athletes with scholarships and training assistance. He died in Mexico in 2018 at the age of 79, leaving a lasting legacy in Canadian athletics.

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Dean Bauck — Canadian track and field athlete (high jumper)

In Poland of the 1970s, sport played an exceptionally important role in everyday life—much greater than it might seem today to readers unfamiliar with the realities of Eastern Europe at the time. During the era of the Polish People’s Republic (PRL), access to many forms of entertainment was limited, and foreign travel for ordinary citizens was restricted. As a result, sport became one of the few widely accessible “windows to the world.”

During major football (soccer) matches, the streets would empty, and cinemas—despite showing highly sought-after Western films that were usually difficult to get tickets for—often stood nearly empty. Television broadcasts of sporting events brought entire families together, and the successes of Polish athletes were a genuine source of national pride.

Although other sports never matched the popularity of football, they still attracted considerable interest and generated strong emotions. Like most of my peers, I followed sports to some extent—it was a frequent topic of conversation and debate. However, I was never a particularly devoted fan, and after leaving Poland, I gradually lost interest in sports altogether.

Let me go back, however, to the year 1974. On June 30th, I went with my father to the “Skra” stadium in Warsaw (52°12'53.1"N 20°59'36.1"E / 52.214750, 20.993361) to attend an international track and field meet (Poland-Canada-United Kingdom). It was probably the first time in my life that I experienced such an event in person. The weather was pleasant, although the stadium—quite large—was not especially full, which was fairly typical for athletics meets at the time.

A commemorative pin from the track and field competition held in June 1974. Photo courtesy of Mr. Dean Bauck

Track and field competitions seemed somewhat monotonous to me back then, especially compared to the fast-paced action of football or hockey, where something is happening almost constantly. Athletics follows a different rhythm: multiple events take place simultaneously, often requiring patience and sustained attention from the spectator. Nevertheless, it was a worthwhile and memorable outing—one that I still recall very clearly today, not only because of the sporting experience itself, but also because I managed to collect six autographs, which I will describe in subsequent entries.

On that particular day, I forgot to bring my autograph notebook—a serious oversight for a young collector. As a result, I later glued the autographs into a small blue booklet and added notes beside them.

The first autograph from that day belongs to Dean Bauck (born 1954), a Canadian track and field athlete specializing in the high jump.

Dean Bauck

His athletic career unfolded during a particularly complicated period in Olympic history. Although he qualified for the Summer Olympics twice, he was ultimately unable to compete on either occasion. In 1976, at the Montreal Games, he was sidelined by a knee injury. Four years later, in 1980, his opportunity was taken away by the Western boycott of the Moscow Olympics, in which Canada participated. For many athletes of his generation, such circumstances meant that years of preparation never culminated in an Olympic appearance.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Dean Bauck

Despite these setbacks, Bauck achieved notable success at the international level. In 1978, he won a bronze medal for Canada in the high jump at the Commonwealth Games—an important multi-sport event involving countries of the former British Empire. The following year, he placed fifth at the Pan American Games. His greatest athletic achievement came in 1981, when he won the gold medal at the Pacific Conference Games in Christchurch, setting a personal best of 2.21 metres.

After retiring from competitive sport, he successfully transitioned into academic and professional life. He studied at the University of British Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He further expanded his qualifications with a diploma in urban land economics and postgraduate certification in property valuation.

For over three decades, he has been active in the real estate market in the South Delta area of Vancouver, British Columbia, where he has built a reputation as a highly experienced and well-credentialed agent and broker.

Looking at his autograph today, one cannot help but reflect on how varied the life paths of athletes can be—and how success is often measured not only by medals, but also by what comes after a sporting career ends.

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But that’s not the end of the story. I decided to write him a short email, mentioning those competitions and asking for a photo for my blog. A few days later, I received a very nice reply from him, along with his photograph and an image of the pin from those events shown above, which I am publishing below with his permission: 

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18/04/2026

Hi Jack,

Thank you for bringing back these nice memories for me, and also for requesting my autograph. It was always an experience I found flattering and I did my best to make it special for those that asked.

As a young high jumper, I was fortunate to travel in 1974 with the Canadian Athletics team for a tour of competitions in Europe.

Our first stop was in Warsaw, Poland. We stayed in athletes’ rooms right in Skra Stadion.

There was a team competition between Canada, Great Britain and Poland and I was fortunate to win my event.

There may have been a second, international competition – at one of them I competed against Jacek Wszoła. We each jumped 2.16 m and I won on the countback. Given his Olympic success 2 years later that win remains a special memory for me!

The most memorable result during our time there was Irena Szewińska in the women’s 400 m on June 22 setting a new world record with the first sub 50 sec result. I was in the infield during the race and close to the finish line as it ended. I remember thinking how nice it was not only to witness but to have been circled by that performance!

My salient recollection of touring around the city of Warsaw was noticing the number of still damaged buildings that had endured bombing in WW2. I also remember the people being kind and lovely but subdued – it was still in the time before Lech Walesa!

In 1979 a smaller Canadian team spent time and competed in Madrid. Also attending was a contingent from Poland including Grażyna Rabsztyn who was the world record holder in the 100 m hurdles at the time. They were lovely people and we enjoyed hanging out and socializing with them – despite the language difference!

Dean Bauck

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Once again, the world is a small place!

Blogi są również dostępne w języku polskim/blogs are also available in the Polish language

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This entry is part of a broader collection of personal research and historical documentation across multiple blogs:

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