Jevgenijus Šuklinas's Death Shocks Gudzinevičiūtė: 'This is Very Regrettable'

D. Gudzinevičiūtė, president of the Lithuanian Canoeing Federation, described the death of Olympian Jevgenijus Šuklinas as "very regrettable" and a shock to the sports community. She conveyed condolences to Šuklinas's family and the wider sporting world, noting his potential for future contributions.

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Of course, it's a shock. First, the thought came to mind that perhaps it wasn't true. But it turned out that it really is true. It is very regrettable. Condolences to the whole community, the sports community, the Canoe and Kayak Federation community, to all of us, because he was a young man, a man who could still have done a lot in this life.

Šuklinas, once a prominent Lithuanian canoeist, achieved a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. However, this achievement was later annulled due to a doping violation. Subsequent re-analysis of his sample revealed banned anabolic steroids. Although he denied guilt, he did not pursue legal challenges, leading to his disqualification and the nullification of subsequent results, including European and World Championship medals.

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We weren't close friends or good buddies, but we always communicated sincerely. And when was the last time we spoke – I can't say for sure right now.

Despite the doping scandal, Gudzinevičiūtė remembered Šuklinas as a "very pleasant, good athlete and person." She acknowledged his past mistake but emphasized the importance of second chances. She also highlighted his significant social work, which she followed on Facebook and considered as important as his athletic achievements.

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We are athletes of different generations. Of course, the person made a mistake, for which he paid very dearly. But still, everyone has a second chance. I remember him as a very pleasant, good athlete and person.

After retiring from canoeing, Šuklinas entered business and politics. He served as a member of the Visaginas municipal council, narrowly missed a mayoral runoff, and temporarily held the mayoral position in 2023. He joined the Liberal Movement in 2022 and was elected to the Lithuanian Seimas (parliament) two years later. He was also a shareholder and board member of a company operating a brewery and pizzeria in Visaginas.

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I saw him and followed him on Facebook because he was doing great social work, which I think is no less important than sports achievements.