Otylia Jedrzejczak is a Polish swimmer, born on December 13, 1983 in Ruda ?l?ska, Silesian Voivodship. Otylia Jedrzejczak started taking swimming classes at the age of 6 on her parent’s compulsion and as a measure to cure a slight curvature of the spine. Initially she did not like the sports and later changed her mind when she won a swimming competition in Germany at the age of 8. Under the guidance of trainer Maria Jakóbik, she took up swimming seriously in high school and currently, she is a student at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw.
In 1999, Otylia Jedrzejczak won the 100 meters and 200 meters butterfly titles at the Junior European Championships held at Moscow. She also won a bronze medal in the 200 m butterfly event in the Senior European Championships held in Istanbul. In the following year, she won gold medal for her impressive performance in the 200 meters butterfly and silver in the 100 meters butterfly events at the European Championships in Helsinki.
At the 2001 World Championships held in Fukuoka, she took part in 100 m butterfly event and finished in the second place. On August 4, 2002 Otylia Jedrzejczak set a new world record in the 200 m butterfly with a time of 2:05.78 at the European Championships in Berlin. In the same championship, she also won a silver medal in the 100 m butterfly event. She is the title winner of the 200 meters butterfly event at the 2003 World Championships held in Barcelona. Otylia J?drzejczak also participated in the 100 meters butterfly event and won a silver medal.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics held at Athens, Otylia Jedrzejczak took part in three events and won two silver medals in 400 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly events, and gold in the 200 m butterfly event. With these medals to her credit, she equaled the record Irena Szewi?ska, a polish athlete to win three medals in the same Olympic game. After this victory, she auctioned her Olympic gold medal and the money was handed over to the Oncology and Hematology Clinic of Wroc?aw's Children's Hospital.
At the Summer Universiade tournament 2005 held at ?zmir, she won gold medals for finishing first in 100 m butterfly, 200 m butterfly, and 200 m freestyle events. Otylia Jedrzejczak maintained the winning momentum at the World Championships - Long Course 2005 held at Montreal and struck gold for her impressive performance in the 200 m butterfly event. In the following year, she successfully defended her 200 m butterfly title at the 2006 European Championships in Budapest. She also won the 200 m freestyle and finished second in the 4 x 200 m freestyle relay event. On her 24th birthday Otylia Jedrzejczak broke the World Record for the 200 meters Women's butterfly with a time of 2:03.53.
At the 2008 Summer Olympic held at Beijing, Otylia Jedrzejczak finished fourth in the 200 m butterfly event. Otylia Jedrzejczak believes that her success is based on faith. She loves visiting her family and enjoys constant support from her family members for her successful career.
Besides swimming, she also learnt dancing and fencing. Otylia Jedrzejczak also enjoys driving her car.
