Lithuanian athletes showed excellent results in the European Athletics Championships held in Berlin last week. LSU graduate, discus thrower Andrius Gudžius took gold with his last round throw of 68,46 m. Javelin thrower Liveta Jasiūnaitė won bronze with a throw of 61.59 m. Five more Lithuanian athletes entered the top eight.
Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) researchers and coaches watched closely their performances and now are sharing insight into the European Athletics Championships. According to Jūratė Stanislovaitienė, LSU researcher and track-and-field athletics coach, participants of this European Championship achieved more personal, championship records and best season results than in 2016. Two years ago, a number of excellent athletes did not participate in the championships as they were preparing for the Olympic Games. The coach is glad that more and more Lithuanian athletes participate in every European championship.
“Liveta Jasiūnaitė’s bronze in the javelin throw event was a pleasant surprise, so was Agnė Orlauskaitė – Šerkšnienė’s high 6th place in the 400 m run. Both Liveta and the 1500 m runner Simas Bertašius demonstrated perfect sporting condition throughout the season and in the European Championships,” said J. Stanislovaitienė.
LSU professor Albertas Skurvydas watched multi-sport European Championships, which took place in Glasgow and included swimming, rowing, cycling, golf, gymnastics and triathlon.
Prof. A. Skurvydas distinguishes the performances of Lithuanian swimmers and track-and field athletes, although these sports have witnessed tremendous competition for several decades. He emphasizes the special talent of the swimmer Danas Rapšys, and is expecting a world record from the discus thrower Andrius Gudžius.
“I am very satisfied with Liveta Jasiūnaitė, Airinė Palšytė, Brigita Virbalytė-Dimšienė and Simonas Bertašius’s performances and I believe in their potential to achieve even better results. The rowers pleasantly surprised, but I was disappointed with the cyclists,” said Prof. A. Skurvydas.
The professor shared the insight that sprinters need 75 percent of innate talent to achieve good results, therefore, it is necessary to improve the system of search and selection of athletes in Lithuania.
Professor has noticed that coaches lack knowledge of sports psychology and athlete nutrition.
“Sport science offers a lot of different ways to achieve better results. It is also very important to make this the result of collaboration of coaches, athletes, sports physiologists, biomechanics, psychologists and nutritionists. University researchers plan to set up a series of seminars that will help achieve the best results,” said LSU professor.
