This exhibition honors Halina Konopacka, the first Polish woman to win an Olympic gold medal in discus throw at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. It explores her sporting achievements alongside her diverse talents in art, poetry, and sculpture, presenting her as a true Renaissance woman.
"Pierwsza dama »królowej«" (The "Queen's" First Lady) is an exhibition dedicated to Halina Konopacka, a legendary figure in Polish sports history, renowned for winning the country's first Olympic gold medal in discus throw at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. Beyond her athletic prowess, Konopacka was a woman of broad interests and talents, excelling in art, poetry, and sculpture. The exhibition commemorates her 125th birth anniversary on February 26, 2025, offering a comprehensive look at her life and accomplishments.
The exhibition showcases not only Konopacka's historic sporting achievements but also other aspects of her remarkable life. Visitors can view a replica of her lost gold medal from the 1928 Olympics, created by the Polish Olympic Committee with the consent of the IOC. The original medal was lost during World War II when Konopacka, along with her husband Ignacy Matuszewski, was involved in evacuating Polish National Treasury assets. Other highlights include a commemorative plaque for her discus world record set in 1927, a sculpture of her likeness by Zofia Trzcińska-Kamińska, her 1929 poetry collection, and examples of her paintings. This exhibition is organized by the Museum of Sport and Tourism in Warsaw in collaboration with the Halina Konopacka Foundation.