Polish wrestler Józef Lipień, Moscow 1980 Olympic silver medallist, dies aged 77

Death announced in Dębica

Józef Lipień, a wrestler, world champion and four-time Olympian, died at the age of 77. The Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre in Dębica announced the death on Sunday morning, 25 October 2026, and the city authorities confirmed it. Lipień had been tied to Dębica for most of his life, representing its local club Wisłoka as an athlete and later working as a coach in the town after his career ended.

The city authorities marked his death with a statement that praised his career.

“Mr Józef Lipień was an outstanding athlete whose achievements on the international stage have permanently entered the history of Polish sport.”

Career milestones

Lipień was born on 6 February 1949 in Jaczków, near Kamienna Góra, and was the twin brother of Kazimierz Lipień, an Olympic champion. He first pursued athletics and handball before turning to wrestling. He took part in the Olympic Games in 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980, and his best result came in Moscow in 1980, where he won silver. Sources also record a world championship title in 1973, which one article places in Tehran, and a European bronze medal in 1978.

Interview on the Montreal Games

About two years before his death, Lipień gave Interia a long interview about his career. He spoke about the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where he had hoped to win Olympic gold. He said he had skipped the European championships to focus entirely on that Olympic start.

Reaction

According to Interia, the Dębica authorities also offered condolences to the family of the 77-year-old. The sports centre and the city jointly issued the announcement that began the wider coverage of his death on Sunday morning.