Virgilijus Alekna
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games • Other |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Virgilijus•Alekna |
| Used name | Virgilijus•Alekna |
| Born | 13 February 1972 in Terpeikiai, Panevėžys (LTU) |
| Measurements | 200 cm / 130 kg |
| Affiliations | Metikas, Vilnius (LTU) |
| NOC |  Lithuania |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 2 |
| Silver | 0 |
| Bronze | 1 |
| Total | 3 |
Biography
Following in the footsteps of Romas Ubartas, Alekna became Lithuania’s second Olympic champion, also in the discus throw. Ubartas, also present in Sydney, saw Alekna defeat titleholder and then quadruple World Champion Lars Riedel. Alekna’s second title was less glamorous. He initially was awarded a silver medal, but was moved up one position when the winner, Hungary’s Róbert Fazekas, refused to provide a urine sample and was disqualified. In addition to his two Olympic titles, Alekna has won the 2003 and 2005 World Championships, as well as the 2006 European title. Outside of sports, Alekna works as the body guard of Lithuania’s prime minister.
Personal Best: DT – 73.88 (2000).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Summer Olympics | Athletics | LTU |
Virgilijus Alekna | |||
| Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) | 5 | |||||
| 2000 Summer Olympics | Athletics | LTU |
Virgilijus Alekna | |||
| Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 2004 Summer Olympics | Athletics | LTU |
Virgilijus Alekna | |||
| Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold | ||||
| 2008 Summer Olympics | Athletics | LTU |
Virgilijus Alekna | |||
| Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) | 3 | Bronze | ||||
| 2012 Summer Olympics | Athletics | LTU |
Virgilijus Alekna | |||
| Discus Throw, Men (Olympic) | 4 |
Other participations
| Games | Role | NOC | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Summer Olympics | Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony | LTU |
Virgilijus Alekna |
Olympic family relations
- Brother-in-law of Remigija Sablovskaitė-Nazarovienė
Special Notes
- Listed in Current Olympic Record Holders in Athletics (discus throw 69.89 (2004))
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the European Athletics Championships (1–1–1 1998 Budapest bronze: discus throw; 2002 München silver: discus throw; 2006 Göteborg gold: discus throw)
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the World Athletics Championships (2–2–0 1997 Athens silver: discus throw; 2001 Edmonton silver: discus throw; 2003 Saint-Denis gold: discus throw; 2005 Helsinki gold: discus throw)