Flash! Jedrzejczak Critically Injured in Car Accident -- October 1, 2005

By Phillip Whitten

October 1. POLISH Olympic champion Otylia Jedrzejczak was critically injured in an auto accident in Warsaw several hours ago, according to Swimming World's Polish sources. Her brother, a passenger in the car, died in the accident.

While driving with her brother, Otylia lost control of her car and hit a tree. She was taken to a hospital in Warsaw, where she is in critical condition.

In 2004, Jedrzejczak became Poland's first female gold medalist in swimming when she won the 200 fly in Athens. Last July she broke her own world record in the event at the World Championship in Montreal amid controversy surrounding her touch at the finish.

Last December, Jedrzejczak won worldwide admiration when she auctioned off her gold medal for $86,000, donating the funds to a children's leukemia hospital in Warsaw.

Otylia's friends ask the world swimming community to pray for her recovery. We will update you on her condition.

For those who read Polish, log on to: http://wiadomosci.onet.pl/1172988,11,item.html