From an early age, Helena Marusarzówna left no doubt as to her predestination to become an outstanding sports performer. In the area of Zakopane where she originated from, she participated in numerous ski competitions, which she won most of the time. 

In the mid-1930s, she was admitted to the Ski Section of the Polish Tatra Society (SN PTT), and quickly the best skier in Poland. She was seven times Poland’s champion in different alpine categories. 

When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, she immediately joined the Polish resistance movement, acting from October as a secret courier, carrying mail and leading people along the mountain trail.

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Unfortunately, she was captured in March 1940 by the Slovak military police, handed over to the Gestapo, and imprisoned near Nowy Sącz, next to the Gestapo’s headquarters in Zakopane. 

She was tortured on several occasions. The Germans hoped that Marusarzówna would give in, representing a great propaganda success for them if this elite skier agreed to collaborate with the occupant. 

However, the young and beautiful lady refused any form of cooperation and endured torture while remaining faithful to her fellow Home army soldiers. She did not turn anyone in while she was under arrest. 

Frustrated with her iron will, the Germans eventually murdered her. She was only 23. 

Image: Twitter (@MirekSzponar)

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen