People who knew J. Šuklinas, shocked by his death, shared memories and moments spent together on Thursday evening.
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Lithuanian blogger Ričardas Savukynas said that Jevgenijus was the first to show him Visaginas and stood out for his care for his city.
“It’s not often that you meet politicians who are honest, try to do something good, are intelligent, care about the community, and are just great.
Jevgenijus Šuklinas was such a person who cared about his city Visaginas, trying to do everything to make that city a better part of Lithuania.
The same person who once, about ten years ago, showed me that city – back then, as far as I remember, not yet a politician. He showed it with a lot of love and warmth – because he truly loved that city.
He was for Lithuania, was a rifleman, was simply an example to many people. Somehow, a case where there was a good politician.
And today I found out so unexpectedly that he died. Just recently turned 40, a young man… I write and can’t believe it. He was always like that, a good and smiling person…” – wrote R. Savukynas.
Sadness was also expressed by sports journalist, producer, and president of the Lithuanian Sports Journalists Federation Laima Janušonytė. She didn’t want to believe this fact, hoping it was false information.
“The news shocked me. A young man, a well-known athlete, who just a few hours ago met with eighth graders of Visaginas Friendship Progymnasium and talked to them about his career path, died after a few hours. It’s hard to believe. Or maybe it’s a lie? After all, in these times of all kinds of lies and AI, it’s so easy to fake everything. I don’t know if there is hope that it didn’t happen? Probably not, although I would like to believe that Jevgenijus is alive.
…Cruel! Jevgenijus Šuklinas was only 40! A great dedicated athlete, sincere, friendly person, who survived a doping scandal, but is it appropriate now, at the hour of his death, to talk about it and put it in headlines??? A good athlete, a sincere person is gone and he still had so much life to live!!!
I sympathize with the entire sports community, family, friends, and close people. It is cruel when such young people die. Naturally, I ask: WHY did Jevgenijus Šuklinas die???? A close friend wrote: heart attack…
But it was caused by complications from a simple virus. Let’s take care of ourselves and our loved ones! I mourn with you,” she wrote.
The death of the deceased also affected artist and photographer Neringa Rekašiūtė, who said that Jevgenijus always supported her work when she lived in Visaginas.
“Jevgenijus Šuklinas was a good person. I always felt his support and help for my creativity when I lived in Visaginas. He was also a man of his word – he promised and did. Creative, enterprising, active, aside from all his achievements in sports. He loved Visaginas very much.
Very sad, terribly early to lose a bright person,” wrote Neringa.
Respect to the family and Jevgenijus was expressed by Member of Parliament Vytautas Grubliauskas, who could not believe the loss of such a young man.
“A painful and hard to comprehend loss – at just 41 years old died Member of Parliament, Olympian, prominent Lithuanian canoeist Jevgenijus Šuklinas.
Lithuania knew him as a talented athlete, Olympic Games medalist, multiple world and European championship laureate. But most importantly – he was a strong, hardworking, and sincere person who loved his homeland and people.
Even after turning to politics, he remained a person who believed in responsibility and respect for others. Too early. Unacceptably early.
Sincere condolences to the family, relatives, friends, and all who cherished Jevgenijus Šuklinas,” he wrote.
Jevgenijus will undoubtedly be remembered by Lithuanian kayaker, European championship medalist, Olympian Edvinas Ramanauskas, who after hearing the news of the sudden loss still struggled to find words.
“Rest in peace, BROLAU! No more words can be now……” – wrote E. Ramanauskas.
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The Member of Parliament is also remembered by the entertainment world, as many years ago he participated in the project “Dance with a Star.” Jury member, choreographer, ballet dancer Jurijus Smoriginas shared an archival photo from those times.
“How hard it is to believe… What a loss..” he added.
Shaken was also teacher, actor, director, politician Robertas Šarknickas, who said he communicated with Jevgenijus on social networks on the day of his death.
“Today (Thursday, – editor’s note) Lithuania lost not only a champion. Lost a person who knew how to win not only on the track but also in people’s hearts.
Jevgenijus Šuklinas stopped at the finish line of his life at just 41 years old.
It is especially painful to realize how fragile life is. Just this morning – a “like,” a short sign that the person is alive, sees, feels. And in the evening – news that you don’t want to accept.
I had the chance to greet him a few times, exchange a few words. And that was enough to understand – he was a person with a heart. Sincere, simple, warm. An athlete who carried Lithuania to victories but remained humane and close.
This photo now looks even more sensitive – a raised hand like a last farewell to those left on the shore. Unfortunately, the heart stopped too early.
Rest in peace, champion. Your name will remain not only in sports history but also in people’s memory,” he wrote.
Words were also spoken on social networks by politician, opera singer Vytautas Juozapaitis, who was affected by the loss of a young man.
“The news of Jevgenijus Šuklinas’s death shocked me.
There are losses that defy ordinary words.
When a person leaves at just forty, the natural order of life collapses — there should still have been time for work, mistakes, maturity, future plans. A strange feeling of emptiness remains…
He was a person whose life had will, discipline, and responsibility. Sports for him was not just victories but service to his country. Politics — not a pose, but a duty to people and his city.
Therefore, this loss is painful not only to relatives or Visaginas. It is painful to all who still believe in real, not fake people.
Sincere condolences to the family, friends, and all who today have to accept the unbearable silence of an early departure,” wrote V. Juozapaitis.
Political and public figure of Lithuania and Trakai district Kęstutis Vilkauskas also spoke out.
“This news simply stunned me… As if a very important light suddenly went out. Jevgenijus was one of those who never tried to be special.
But he was so by nature.
Calm, reserved, with endless human warmth. And at the same time — will, and complete discipline. A rare combination. Given not to stand out, but to hold. Oneself. Others. Life.
I had the chance to communicate with Jevgenijus not only in the Parliament but also when he was still training in Trakai. There, among the daily effort, fatigue, and will, it was most visible what was in him beyond character…
Such people always have something more than themselves. Something that quietly testifies to the Creator.
That banal phrase — that God takes the best…
Lord, receive him.
Be his light.
Be his peace.
Be his home,” wrote the politician.
We remind that according to unofficial data, J. Šuklinas suddenly collapsed at his homestead on Thursday, later arriving medics tried to resuscitate him but unsuccessfully.
It is assumed that the 40-year-old’s heart may have stopped.
As BNS writes, the parliamentarian died suddenly after his health deteriorated. Just over a month ago, the media reported that after returning from vacation, where he contracted a virus, Jevgenijus underwent surgery due to developed infection. He was also diagnosed with pneumonia.
