Vilnius has invested in Lithuanian track and field athletes: world-class medals and Lithuanian records
“When an athlete is not left to fend for themselves, but their progress is planned and constantly monitored, high results become inevitable. Our athletes have begun to believe that the highest level can be achieved right here in Vilnius,” says M. Jusis.
Currently, Vilnius athletics club “Jusis Training” is home to discus throwers Mykolas, Martynas and Gabrielė Aleknos, Mažvydas Paurys, sprinter Adas Dambrauskas, runners Matas Garčinskas, Matas Janarauskas, Orinta Navikaitė and Augustė Virbalaitė, shot putter Matas Mikulėnas, track and field athlete Danielius Vasiliauskas, and Deaflympics medallists Mindaugas Jurkša, Vytenis Ivaškevičius and Mažvydas Paurys.
According to M. Jusys, the contribution of Vilnius City and the sponsors to the club’s project enables jumpers Tomas Lotužis, Laurynas Vičius, and high jumper Adrijus Glebauskas to train here, who share their valuable experience with the next generation of athletes both as competitors and as coaches at the sports club “Jusis Training”.
A sports system that remains in Vilnius
According to M. Jusis, the project “Development of high-performance athletics activities at Vilnius sports club “Jusis Training”, funded by Vilnius City Council, has enabled the creation of a comprehensive training structure for athletes – ranging from medical care and rehabilitation to sports science, psychological support and injury prevention.
The club was also included in the list of Vilnius City’s representative sports clubs. Under the funding conditions, the “Jusis Training” sports club was required to contribute 20 per cent of its own funds, i.e. €65,000, to the support allocated by Vilnius City Municipality. This contribution from the club was secured thanks to the sponsors it attracted, enabling the club to raise the full budget required to implement the project. Support from sponsors EMSI, CUP, Girenta and Domė significantly contributed to the club’s financial stability and enabled it not only to carry out planned activities but also to attract more athletes to the club.
Business support enabled the club to attract talented athletes – Gabrielė Aleknaitė, who became Lithuanian junior and youth champion; Orinta Navikaitė, bronze medallist at the European U20 Championships; and Augustė Virbalaitė, who finished 13th in the same championships. Sports activity contracts have been signed with twelve athletes, scholarships are being paid, and all social guarantees are being provided, whilst with the help of the sponsor, Shopping Centre CUP, “Jusis Training” has awarded an annual scholarship to Adas Dambrauskas, which for him means not only continuing in sport, but also the opportunity to aim for the title of Lithuania’s fastest sprinter and to raise Lithuania’s profile on the world stage.
Read more here:
