Józef Szmidt (born Josef Schmidt; 28 March 1935 – 29 July 2024) was a German and Polish Olympic athlete and the first triple jumper to reach 17 metres.
Józef Schmidt was born in Beuthen, Germany, and was a mechanic by profession. After World War II, Beuthen was transferred to Poland, Schmidt's family had to learn Polish, and their name was changed to Szmidt.
He was the world's leading triple jumper in the early 1960s, becoming European champion in 1958 and 1962, and Olympic champion and winner of Poland's Sportsman of the Year prize in 1960 and 1964. With a jump of 17.03 m in 1960, Szmidt was the first triple jumper to reach 17 metres.
Szmidt won the British AAA Championships title in the triple jump event at the 1966 AAA Championships.
In 1975 Szmidt settled in West Germany, but returned to Poland in 1992. He was the brother of a sprinter Edward Szmidt, who competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
Szmidt died of cancer in Zagozd, on 29 July 2024, at the age of 89. His wife had died the week prior.
Triple jump world record progression
Józef Szmidt at World Athletics
Józef Szmidt at European Athletics
Józef Szmidt at Olympics.com Józef Szmidt at OlympicChannel.com (archived) Józef Szmidt at Olympic.org (archived)