In recent days, pentathletes from all over the world have been flocking to Kaunas – about 350 athletes from 37 countries will compete in the championship for two age groups.
Read more LB: “Luminor” buyer “OTP Bank”‘s activities in Russia raise legitimate questions
For the second year in a row, all bases are being prepared for the elite modern pentathlon competition in the host city – the athletics arena, the Lithuanian Sports University swimming pool, and the running and shooting track near the S. Darius and S. Girėnas monument.
“The event is very important and of a very high rank. Perhaps we have already spoiled our environment and the people of Kaunas a bit and forget that this is almost the second-highest-ranking event. Youth is our future, and for us, as competition organizers, we need to set a high bar for organization so that athletes remember Kaunas and Lithuania as a place with top-level conditions, officiating, and atmosphere,” said Justinas Kinderis, president of the country’s modern pentathlon federation, who also participated in the national team’s last training session.
31 pentathletes will represent Lithuania in the two age group world championships. It is hoped that at least a few athletes will reach the finals of individual competitions, and in relay events – women’s, men’s, and mixed – at least one team will be among the strongest teams.
“The main goal is for athletes to concentrate on their personal results, which will allow them to achieve the best position. We also want the athletes to gain good emotions from the stands, and for this to be a driving force to complete the events faster,” said Paulius Aleksandravičius, head coach of the Lithuanian national team.
Members of the Lithuanian national team admit that they feel the excitement of the competition. However, most athletes already have experience in the championship held in their homeland – last year they participated in the European U15 and U19 championships held at the same venues.
Read more Donald Trump is preparing a new wave of tariffs – will affect dozens of countries
“I want to improve my results, I want to show myself, represent my country, but also not burn out too much, because I want to reach the final, so I need to save energy,” revealed Austėja Brovkaitė, a member of the junior national team.
Gustė Pečiulytė and Liutauras Valeika, two of the team’s leaders who recently tested their strength at the European U22 Championship, invited all modern pentathlon fans to come to Kaunas to support the Lithuanian pentathletes.
“This start is one of the most important this season, and I am really looking forward to participating in these competitions. I am happy that the championship is taking place in Lithuania – I hope we will receive home support from all Lithuanians,” said L. Valeika.
“The emotions are very strong – I am really looking forward to it and also nervous, but the support, I think, will give a lot of strength, and we are really waiting for everyone who will come to support us,” G. Pečiulytė agreed with her teammate.
On Thursday, the World Championship will begin with boys’ (U17) relays and girls’ (U22) individual qualification competitions. After the first day of competition, an official opening ceremony will take place on Laisvės alėja.
Read more In Spain – mass poisoning of holidaymakers: dozens of people ended up in hospital
