The red carpet, over 700 guests dressed to the nines, and a spotlight on the best of the sports world. On Wednesday evening, the prestigious Lithuanian Sports Awards ceremony took place at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre Litexpo, honouring the most deserving Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their coaches.
It has become a beautiful tradition to award the best athletes of the country before the major holidays of the year – this event, organised by the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania (NOCL), has been taking place since 1994 and for the second year in a row it has been held together with the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee (LPC) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport (MESS).
This year, as in the previous year, 11 awards were presented at the event, of which 5 were given to Olympic and 5 to Paralympic sports laureates, as well as a special Life Achievement Award. Both Olympic and Paralympic laureates were evaluated in the following categories: Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Breakthrough of the Year.
A large sports community, including not only athletes, their team members, and members of sports federations, but also representatives of education, science, culture, politicians and diplomats, gathered at Litexpo to congratulate the winners.
“The Lithuanian Sports Awards ceremony traditionally crowns another active and productive year, and this event is a great opportunity to thank all the athletes and their coaches, and to celebrate their achievements. We continue a beautiful tradition of honouring both Olympic and Paralympic athletes on one stage. This cooperation between the two Committees is an example that sport is a strong unifying force,” said Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, Olympic champion and President of the NOCL.
Mindaugas Bilius, President of the LPC, also welcomed this mutual cooperation. According to him, sport is an ice-breaker that successfully changes people’s lives and contributes to the creation of a healthier, stronger and more civil society.
“People with disabilities are an integral and important part of society who are talented, hard-working and winning. This is demonstrated by the Lithuanian Sports Awards, a celebration where Paralympic athletes line up alongside Olympic athletes and together inspire the people of Lithuania to strive for more, dream bigger and defy artificial stereotypes. Here, we are working together to create a better future for our country,” said Mr. Bilius.
The festive evening was entrusted to the experienced and witty TV hosts Mindaugas Stasiulis and Jurgita Jurkutė. During the event, the musical programme was presented by well-known performers, including Monika Linkytė, Vaidas Baumila, Giedrė Kilčiauskienė, The Roop and the trio Voiceless from Klaipėda, who played cello and drums, while dancers from the Alytus dance studio Aušrinė performed on the stage to the music of the band.
The nominees for the Lithuanian Sports Awards for Olympic sports were announced at the end of November and selected by the Lithuanian Sports Awards Council. The Council’s vote accounted for 80% of the outcome, while the remaining 20% was determined by the public vote, which could be cast on the NOCL website until 12 December.
WINNERS in the Olympic sports category:
“Team of the Year” – men’s double kayakers Mindaugas Maldonis and Andrejus Olijnikas. The athletes won the 2nd place in the 500 m event at the World Championships and the 3rd place in the 500 m event at the European Championships in 2022.
Mindaugas Maldonis, Andrejus Olijnikas / Photo: Mantas Gudzinevičius
“Coach of the Year” – Mantas Jusis, coach of world vice-champion and European champion discus thrower Mykolas Alekna.
Mantas Jusis / Photo: Mantas Gudzinevičius
“Breakthrough of the Year” – boxer Gabrielė Stonkutė, who won the bronze medal at the European Youth (U22) Championships and became the youngest ever boxer, as well as the 1st place in the weight category up to 81 kg (non-Olympic) at the World Championships and the 1st place in the weight category up to 81 kg (non-Olympic) at the European Championships.
“Male Athlete of the Year” – track-and-field athlete, discus thrower Mykolas Alekna. He was awarded for the 2nd place at the World Championships and the gold medal at the European Championships.
Daina Gudzinevičiūtė įteikė apdovanojimą Mykolui Aleknai / Photo: Mantas Gudzinevičius
“Female Athlete of the Year” – swimmer Rūta Meilutytė, who won bronze in the 100 m breaststroke at the 2022 World Championships and bronze in the 100 m breaststroke at the European Championships.
“Life Achievement Award”. The special award in 2022 is given to Jurijus Moskvičiovas, one of the most renowned Lithuanian modern pentathlon coaches, who not only trained the athletes who won the highest awards for Lithuania, but also instilled a love for sport and training in his athletes. Jurijus Moskvičiovas is one of the most prominent promoters of the traditions of modern pentathlon, whose dedication to the sport has not only brought joy to the country with the achievements of the athletes, but has also ensured the continuation of the sport in Lithuania.
Jurijus Moskvičiovas / Photo: Mantas Guzinevičius