Biography:
Đurđa Đurđica Bjedov was born on April 5, 1947, in Split, Yugoslavia (present-day Croatia). She would go on to become the only Yugoslav Olympic champion in swimming, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
Bjedov’s swimming career took off in the late 1960s. Although she never won a medal at major international competitions, her breakthrough came at the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City. In the 100m breaststroke event, Bjedov stunned the world by finishing first and breaking the Olympic record. This remarkable achievement made her the first Yugoslav swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal.
Bjedov’s success continued at the 1968 Olympics, where she also secured a silver medal in the 200m breaststroke. Despite representing her country with impressive performances, her medley relay team was unfortunately disqualified in the preliminaries because she jumped into the water too early.
Following her momentous Olympic triumph, Bjedov was honored as the Yugoslav Athlete of the Year in 1968. Her remarkable achievements in swimming propelled her into the international spotlight.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Bjedov embarked on a new chapter in her career as a swimming coach. She dedicated her time and expertise to nurturing young swimmers, passing on her knowledge and skills to the next generation. Notably, she played a significant role in shaping her daughter Anamarija Petričević into an Olympic swimmer, continuing the family’s legacy in the sport.
Today, Djurdjica Bjedov and her daughter Anamarija Petričević reside in Locarno, Switzerland. Despite stepping away from the competitive arena, their passion for swimming remains strong.
Awards:
– Olympic Games: 1968 gold medal (100m breaststroke), silver medal (200m breaststroke)
– Olympic Record: 100m breaststroke
– Yugoslavian National Champion and record holder multiple times
– Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame