With the Paris Games opening ceremony just a day away, Lithuanian Olympians are settling into the Olympic Village and focusing on their starts. Let us briefly review what athletes are on the Lithuanian Olympic Team and the symbolic value the French capital holds in our country’s sporting history.
The Paris Olympics are special for the Lithuanian team – precisely 100 years have passed since the Lithuanian delegation first participated in the Games. The number of athletes gradually grew; however, this year’s Olympic Team will not be groundbreaking in terms of numbers. The biggest delegation was sent in 2008 when 71 athletes represented our country at the Beijing Olympics.
This year, the Lithuanian Olympic Team consists of 50 athletes and is groundbreaking for gender equality. Twenty-four women and 26 men will represent the country. In addition, the Olympic delegation includes 49 coaches, supporting staff, and 11 medical staff members. For 31 of the athletes, the Paris Games will be their debut on the Olympic stage.
For the Paralympic Games, which will last from August 28 to September 8, nine Lithuanian athletes have already secured their spots. Our athletes will participate in shooting, judo, swimming, track and field, and shot put.
For the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee, founded in 1990, this year’s Paralympic Games marks the 10th time that the delegation sends their athletes to the most prestigious event.
In an interview to the magazine Įveik Save, Lithuanian Paralympic Committee President Mindaugas Bilius said: “This is a special year, and I wish the best of luck to all the athletes and their coaches and supporters. I thank them for their sincere work and dedication in achieving important victories for our country.”
Historic resonance
Paris holds a special place in Lithuanian Olympic history. It was in the French capital that, a hundred years ago, Lithuanian Olympic athletes first represented their newly independent country. The 1924 Games saw Lithuania compete in only two sports, football and cycling, but it laid the foundation for future generations.
Although Lithuania’s first official participation in the Olympics did not bring medals, with the football team losing in their first game and two cyclists unable to finish their race due to mechanical malfunction, it was nonetheless an important milestone as Lithuanian Olympic Movement was for the first time internationally recognised.
“We invite all Lithuanian fans to support every athlete, regardless of their position in the results. It is essential to understand that qualifying for and participating in the Olympic Games is a remarkable achievement, a dream for every athlete. Even last place is worthy of respect. Unity is the most outstanding Olympic achievement, and this is the message we will take to Paris," says Lithuanian Olympic Committee President Daina Gudzinevičiūtė in an official statement.
Lithuanian Olympic Team in Paris 2024:
Swimming: Danas Rapšys, Rūta Meilutytė, Aleksas Savickas, Kotryna Teterevkova, Tomas Navikonis, Tomas Lukminas, Andrius Šidlauskas.
Athletics: Mykolas Alekna, Martynas Alekna, Andrius Gudžius, Ieva Gumbs (discus throw), Liveta Jasiūnaitė, Edis Matusevičius (javelin throw), Dovilė Kilty, Diana Zagainova (triple jump), Gabija Galvydytė (800 m), Modesta Justė Morauskaitė (400 m), Airinė Palšytė (high jump)
Rowing: Viktorija Senkutė, Giedrius Bieliauskas (single boat class), Dovilė Rimkutė, Donata Karalienė (twin double boat class), Kamilė Kralikaitė, Ieva Adomavičiūtė, Domantas Stankūnas, Dovydas Stankūnas (single double boat class).
Modern pentathlon: Laura Asadauskaitė-Zadneprovskienė, Gintarė Venčkauskaitė.
Canoe and canoe rowing: Simonas Maldonis, Mindaugas Maldonis, Ignas Navakauskas, Artūras Seja, Andrej Olijnik.
Equestrian sports: rider Justina Vanagaitė and horse Nabab (fine riding), rider Andrius Petrovas and horse Lincolns (eventing).
Sailing: Viktorija Andrulytė, Rytis Jasiūnas.
Breaking: Dominika Banevič.
Wrestling: Mindaugas Venckaitis, Gabija Dilytė.
Gymnastics: Robert Tvorogal.
Cycling: Rasa Leleivytė, Olivija Baleišytė, Vasilijus Lendel.
Beach volleyball: Monika Paulikienė, Ainė Raupelytė.
3x3 basketball: Aurelijus Pukelis, Gintautas Matulis, Evaldas Džiaugys, Šarūnas Vingelis.
Lithuanian Paralympic Team in Paris 2024:
Shooting: Raimeda Bučinskytė.
Swimming: Edgaras Matakas, Gabrielė Čepavičiūtė.
Athletics: Donatas Dundzys, Andrius Skuja, Oksana Dobrovolskaja, Eivydė Vainauskaitė (shot put and discus throw), Andrius Skuja (Javelin Throw), Aušra Garunkšnytė (marathon), Osvaldas Bareikis (judo).
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