A national Day of Sport was held in Lithuania on October 4th to celebrate those sportspeople who took medal-winning places at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the 2012 World and European Championships. According to Dalia Grybauskaite, the President of the Lithuanian Republic, the names of the athletes have been written in golden lettering in the history of Lithuanian sport – “In Lithuania there are many talented athletes, and many good coaches 

 This has been evidenced by your victories, achieved by people of many age groups. In our country we have beautiful sports prospects for the successful development of the young. To ensure future success, we must not only speed up the development of sports facilities, but also improve the availability of financing for sport.” As the President spoke at a ceremony to mark the day, the hard work, practice and sacrifices made by the athletes during training sessions and competitions was acknowledged as a great example which could serve to unite the nation.

The head of the country shook hands with more than 100 athletes: “For the first time we have so many athletes in one room. This year has been exceptional not only for those attending the Olympic Games – it is exceptional that so many awards have been won. Athletes have been ambassadors for our country, glorifying Lithuania, and I want to thank them on behalf of the state.”

The President went on to thank the coaches, experts and fans whose support allowed for developments in Lithuanian sport, and wished that the athletes continue to be successful in honouring the country.

In 2012, 300 medals have been won by Lithuanian athletes at the World and European Championships. Furthermore, it is not only basketball that is one of the main sports in the country – there has been success across the board. At the Olympic Games, Lithuania won five medals – two gold, one silver, and two bronze, in swimming rowing, athletics and wrestling. In tennis, Lithuania’s Ričardas Berankis is ranked 86th in the worth. In basketball, a second religion in Lithuania, there has been a great deal of success in the last 20 years.

Grybauskate added that Lithuania would have to support young sportspeople, and give them the conditions to train and not worry about funding, as happens in many countries around the world, in order to ensure good results in the future.