and believed in me. After qualifying, I felt the
main goal of the season had been achieved at
last, and that all the work had been worth it. The
London Olympics ar my dream, and now I know
everything is possible. Now I’m dreaming of an
8th place in London.”
>
well at once. And when I don’t have to study I can
pay more attention to my personal life and rest
well between practices,” she says.
Mindaugas Griskonis (LTU)
Okuleviciene smiles when she sees these athletes,
which she describes as “future bombs”.
Training as a physiotherapist, Vistartaite has
taken a break from studying and is still reflecting
on whether to resume before or after the Games.
“I’m not the type of person who can do ten things
Attracting new generations to the sport, however,
is not as easy. “Many teenagers are attracted to
rowing. But to keep them rowing and working
hard is not so easy,” says Okuleviciene. “Making
rowing facilities nicer and better each year,
thinking about education and financial support
is not enough. Helping athletes feel that they are
being cared for, that they are part of a family and
are being supported is necessary. All of us should
grow together with the rower: the coach, the
fans, the boat builder, the Federation. The forest
is stronger when all trees are the same height.
This is what we are doing now - we are growing!”
