Maria Żodzik (Belarusian: Марыя Жодзік, born 19 January 1997) is a high jumper. She was the national champion of Belarus in 2020. Having Polish grandparents, she was granted Polish citizenship in 2024 and represented Poland at the 2024 Summer Olympics.[2][1]

Maria Żodzik
Personal information
Native nameМарыя Жодзік
Birth nameMaryia Zhodzik
National teamBelarus (until 2024)
Poland (from 2024)
Born (1997-01-19) 19 January 1997 (age 27)
Baranavichy, Belarus[1]
Sport
SportAthletics
EventHigh jump
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)High jump: 1.97m (Toruń, 2024)

Career

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She won the high jump at the Belarusian national championships in 2020.[3] She was named to the Belarusian team for the delayed 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.[4] However, she was not permitted to compete as she was ruled as not meeting the minimum testing requirements of the Anti-Doping Rules for her country by the Athletics Integrity Unit.[5]

She moved to Poland in 2022, and became based at Białystok, where she trains with coach Robert Nazarkiewicz at the Podlasie Białystok club.[6] She jumped a personal best 1.97 metres at the Polish Indoor Championships in Toruń on 17 February 2024.[7] In March 2024, she was granted Polish citizenship.[8]

International competitions

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Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing   Belarus
2016 World U20 Championships Bydgoszcz, Poland 15th (q) 1.77 m
2017 European U23 Championships Bydgoszcz, Poland 5th 1.86 m
2019 European U23 Championships Gävle, Sweden 18th (q) 1.73 m
Representing   Poland
2024 Olympic Games Paris, France 28th (q) 1.83 m

References

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  1. ^ a b Petruczenko, Maciej (19 June 2024). "Maria Żodzik – Polka z Białorusi na olimpijski medal?". Przegląd Sportowy (in Polish). Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  2. ^ Wasiak, Jan (2 August 2024). "Niemiłe zaskoczenie. Maria Żodzik szybko żegna się z igrzyskami". przegladsportowy.onet.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Адкрыты Чэмпіянат Рэспублікі Беларусь па легкай атлетыцы" [Belarus National Outdoor Athletics Championships] (PDF) (in Belarusian). Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Athletics ZHODZIK Mariya". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Three Belarusian athletes declared ineligible for Tokyo 2020". eng.belta.by. 29 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Belarusian high jumper granted Polish citizenship, eyes Paris Olympics". Polskiradio.pl. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Polish Indoor Championships". World Athletics. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  8. ^ Petruczenko, Maciej (20 March 2024). "Another strengthening of Polish athletics. President Duda granted citizenship". Przegladsportowy. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
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