“As far as I knew him, as often as I met him in Visaginas, maybe our political views differed, but that human interaction was always there. In the Seimas as well – with a smile, no anger, I have never heard any offensive word from him. We will miss this man – his intelligence, composure,” J. Olekas told BNS on Thursday.
Read more Mindaugas Sinkevičius expresses condolences for the death of Jevgenijus Šuklinas
“Such people are definitely needed in the Seimas. Condolences to all relatives, to everyone who knew him,” he added.
Seimas liberal, former canoeist J. Šuklinas died at the age of 41.
J. Šuklinas began his political career in 2014 in the Visaginas municipal council, where he worked for a decade, and in 2023 he temporarily served as the mayor of Visaginas.
J. Šuklinas belonged to the Liberal Movement since 2022 and was elected to the Seimas in 2024.
J. Šuklinas was born in 1985 in Glazov, Russia, and held a master’s degree in public administration.
Read more Jevgenijus Šuklinas, who passed away prematurely, gave Lithuania more than one medal
The late man had repeatedly won prize places in world rowing championships and participated in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
There he won a silver medal, but the award was taken away from J. Šuklinas after a doping scandal.
“It is really very sad. This is a man who probably experienced everything in life – both the joys of victory and the sufferings due to losses in sports achievements. But he always remained a human being,” said J. Olekas.
J. Šuklinas was also involved in organizing sports events, headed the association “Šuklinas Olympic Sports Club,” which supports young athletes, organizes competitions and sports activities, and trains professional athletes.
Read more Before death – the last words of Jevgenij Šuklin: heart-wrenching
