Lithuania Names Strong Squad for European Athletics Championships, Featuring Historic Firsts

Lithuania is sending a robust team to the European Athletics Championships, with 19 athletes set to compete. Eight athletes met the championship standards, while eleven secured their spots through rankings.

The discus throw event features a strong contingent, including favorite Mykolas Alekna, who achieved nearly 73 meters at the Lithuanian championships. His brother, Martynas Alekna, and former European and World champion Andrius Gudžius will also compete in this discipline.

Gabija Galvydytė will represent Lithuania in both the 800m and 1500m races. Notably, this championship marks a historic first for Lithuanian athletics, as the country will field a pole vaulter for the first time. Additionally, a 5000m runner will compete for Lithuania, an event not seen in the championships for over half a century.

The full roster includes Adas Dambrauskas (100m), Gediminas Truskauskas (200m), Simas Bertašius (5000m), Edis Matusevičius (javelin throw), Juozas Baikštys (high jump), and Edgaras Benkunskas (decathlon) for the men's events. For the women, the team comprises Lukrecija Sabaitytė (200m), Modesta Justė Morauskaitė (400m), Dovilė Kilty and Diana Zagainova (triple jump), Rugilė Miklyčiūtė (pole vault), Beatričė Juškevičiūtė (heptathlon), Vaida Žūsinaitė-Nekriošienė (marathon), and Austėja Kavaliauskaitė (half marathon race walk).