„One of the most numerous teams,“ – Eimantas Skrabulis, head of Lithuanian Athletics Federation (LLAF), began the conversation with 15min enthusiastically.
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– It is very important that we not only have many athletes but also cover many events – 17. Almost half of the Olympic athletics events (out of 49).
Because of this, it will be very interesting to watch, as we will see Lithuanians every day. In my opinion, this only shows how meaningfully our coaches and athletes themselves work. There are no events in which Lithuanians cannot be strong.”
| Year | City (Country) | Number of Lithuanians | Medals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 |  | 11 |  |
| 1998 |  | 16 | |
| 2002 | | 13 |  |
| 2006 |  | 13 |  |
| 2010 |  | 25 | |
| 2012 | | 24 | |
| 2014 |  | 35 | |
| 2016 |  | 19 | |
| 2018 | | 27 | |
| 2022 | | 19 | |
| 2024 |  | 23 | |
| 2026 |  | 19 |
Eight of ours met the standard, and another 11 qualified by ranking.
For the first time in Lithuanian history, a pole vaulter (21-year-old Rugilė Miklyčiūtė) will compete at the European Championships, and we will see a 5000 m runner after more than 50 years (32-year-old Simas Bertašius).
„I would say that the quotas in some events are too small. The competition there is very, very tough. Only 36 athletes is too few. It wouldn’t be a problem to have a few more heats… Anyway, we cannot change that.
- Men: 100 m – Adas Dambrauskas, 200 m – Gediminas Truskauskas, 5000 m – Simas Bertašius, discus throw – Mykolas Alekna, Martynas Alekna, Andrius Gudžius (all three met the standard), javelin throw – Edis Matusevičius (met the standard), high jump – Juozas Baikštys (met the standard), decathlon – Edgaras Benkunskas.
- Women: 200 m – Lukrecija Sabaitytė, 400 m – Modesta Justė Morauskaitė, 800 and 1500 m – Gabija Galvydytė (met both standards), discus throw – Ieva Gumbs (met the standard), triple jump – Dovilė Kilty and Diana Zagainova, pole vault – Rugilė Miklyčiūtė, heptathlon – Beatričė Juškevičiūtė (met the standard), marathon – Vaida Žūsinaitė-Nekriošienė, race walking half marathon – Austėja Kavaliauskaitė.
We, as a federation, are doing everything today to ensure that an athlete who has earned the right to start can use it. Not all countries behave this way, but we are determined not to take such opportunities away from our athletes.
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There used to be people saying that we should focus only on one or another event… That is the stupidest idea ever expressed by a coach. We have no right to dictate what anyone should do in sports. Life fluctuates.
Our athletes are already disadvantaged year after year – lacking good arenas, good conditions to train. Summers in Lithuania are short, if lucky – we have 3 months, so the window to show a good result is narrow, – notes E. Skrabulis.
– Yes, if you have met the standard, it indicates a slightly higher result, but it is definitely not easy to qualify through the ranking system either.
Our entire delegation consists of 37 people – athletes, coaches, physiotherapists, etc. The point is that qualifying for championships is becoming increasingly difficult, but we bring a wide spectrum of athletes. Not only in terms of events but also expectations…
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