We are exactly 100 days away from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. As the summer’s most important sporting event inexorably approaches, the Olympic departure gate has opened at Vilnius Airport. From now on, passengers will have the opportunity to learn about Lithuania’s Olympic history and symbolically pedal a bicycle to Paris.

The project presented on Wednesday is the fruit of cooperation between the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and Lithuanian Airports. An educational wall of Lithuania’s centenary achievements will be set up in the area near the A-15 gate, which will also feature a piece of street art.

“This is a special year for sport in our country. We are celebrating the centenary of the Olympic Movement in Lithuania, and in just a few months’ time our athletes will compete in the Olympic Games in Paris, to which the majority of athletes will be travelling from here – Vilnius Airport. I am delighted about this beautiful cooperation and the opportunity to introduce passengers to Lithuania’s Olympic history.

Athletes at the Olympic Games do not just fight for medals, they unite the whole country. That unity is one of the greatest Olympic achievements. That is why I would like to invite you to support our athletes at the Olympic Games, which are just 100 days away,” said Daina Gudzinevičiūte, Olympic champion and President of the LNOC.

D. Gudzinevičiūtė (V. Dranginio nuotr.).

Paris is an exceptional city for Lithuanian sport. It was here that the history of the Lithuanian Olympic Movement began 100 years ago. In 1924, the Lithuanian tricolour was raised for the first time at the Olympic Games, and our athletes competed in two sports – football and cycling.

That is why, to celebrate the centenary of the Olympic Movement, the LNOC and Lithuanian Airports are inviting passengers to ride a bicycle on a special LTeam platform in Vilnius and symbolically reach the Olympic city of Paris by cycling 2,000 km together.

“We are delighted with this joint initiative and the fact that millions of passengers travelling through Vilnius Airport will not only be able to learn more about the achievements of the Lithuanian Olympic Centenary, but also to engage in a sporty and healthy pastime. A good passenger experience is one of our key strategic objectives. That is why we are constantly striving to expand the variety of our services,” said Gintaras Norvilaitė – Tautevičė, Director of the Commercial Department of Lithuanian Airports.

G. Norvilaitė – Tautevičė (V. Dranginio nuotr.).

Everyone who rides a bike is invited to record the distance covered, take photos and share them on social media with the hashtag #LTeam. Every week, those who cover the greatest distance and share their achievements will receive prizes from LTeam, the Lithuanian Olympic Team.

The first to try the bike was Simona Krupeckaitė, a legendary Lithuanian track cyclist who has competed in five Olympic Games.

“It’s great fun, I believe we will reach Paris on this symbolic bike very soon. And it will be very special. During the Olympic Games, the whole city and the Olympic Village are buzzing with the enthusiasm, desire and aspiration of the athletes to be the best. The atmosphere and the community give you confidence and inspire you”, said the Olympian, who is currently the Sports Director of the Lithuanian Cycling Federation.

S. Krupeckaitė (V. Dranginio nuotr.).

At the Olympic Gate launch event, the spotlight was on the work of Darius Janonis, a member of the street art group Spray Way Art, which commemorates Lithuania’s golden Olympic victories.

“I am a sports lover and it seems to me that sporting achievements are what make us most famous in the world. Moreover, sport and victories unite us, so it is no coincidence that the tricolour and the moment of victory are captured in the centre of the drawing. I would like to invite everyone to remember the most beautiful moments that sport has given us”, said Darius Janonis.

Currently, 29 athletes are on the Lithuanian Olympic team. One of them is discus thrower Andrius Gudžius, who will be competing in his third Olympic Games. During the event, the athlete assured that he is preparing intensively for the Games and is looking forward to the support of the fans.

“The airport is a symbolic place where we send off the athletes to the Olympic Games and welcome them back. I would like to thank not only those who prepared these installations, but also those who are usually behind the scenes: coaches, medics, mission leaders, who instantly solve problems and make sure the athletes have the best conditions.

A. Gudžius (V. Dranginio nuotr.).

The Olympic Games are a celebration that takes place only every four years, so we all prepare very hard and are happy if we manage to crown our performance with a good result,” said Andrius Gudžius.

Sandra Jablonskytė, a judo wrestler who carried the Lithuanian tricolour at the Tokyo Olympics, invited sports fans at the airport not only to get acquainted with Lithuania’s Olympic history, but also to unite in support of the Lithuanian Olympic team in Paris.

“We are a small country, but we have a great Olympic history that we can and should be proud of. I would like to invite airport passengers to take this opportunity to learn more about the achievements of our Olympians. This summer, we are looking forward to the world’s biggest sporting event, let’s all come together to support Lithuania’s athletes who will be defending their honour in Paris,” said Sandra Jablonskytė.

S. Jablonskytė (V. Dranginio nuotr.).

The Olympic Gate at Vilnius Airport will remain open until the end of the Paris Olympics. It will take place from 26 July to 11 August.