Olympic Legends – Margo Dydek

SYDNEY (Olympics) - Basketball lost one of its own last May when former Poland center Margo Dydek died of a heart attack.

She was just 37 years of age.

From Australia, where she lived, to Europe and America, everyone grieved the loss of Dydek, who was married and had two children.

A towering 2.13m, Dydek captured the gold medal at the 1999 European Championship, leading hosts Poland past France in the title game.

With 19 points and 10 rebounds in that contest against Les Bleues, Dydek showed herself to be one of the best players in the world.

By reaching the podium, Poland had ensured they would play at the 2000 Olympics.

Dydek was a player that everyone wanted to see in Sydney.

She had an unforgettable experience, averaging 20.4 points per game.

That was second only to Brazil’s Janeth Arcain (20.5).

She turned in her best performance at the Sydney Games against Cuba.

The Poland team went into the clash knowing a win was a must if they were to meet their aim of at least reaching the Quarter-Finals because their last Preliminary Round game was against the gold medal favourites United States.

In that game against Cuba on the night on 22 September, Poland trailed 35-33 at half-time

However, with Dydek pouring in a game-high 32 points, they came good in the second half and recorded a 72-65 victory.

Dydek didn’t just dominate with her scoring in that important contest, but in every respect.

She hauled in 13 rebounds, handed out five assists and also blocked five shots.

With their passage to the last eight secure, Dydek and Poland showed up two days later to face the United States.

While the pivot had 24 points and 10 rebounds, she and her teammates slumped to a 76-57 defeat.

Then against hosts Australia, the Poles ran out of steam and lost, 76-48.

While she had just 12 points on five of 15 shooting from the floor in that game, and 12 rebounds, Dydek bounced back with a better game against Slovakia.

Her 21 points still weren’t enough, however, as the Poles lost, 64-57, and had to settle for eighth place.

“Playing in the Olympics was always my dream,” she said.

She had also dreamed, she said, of winning a medal at the Games.

The experience of being among the greatest athletes in the world, though, was something she did treasure.

“I would have to say that the Olympics was the most important achievement in my career,” she said.

FIBA