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20 euros 2016 Lithuania – coin dedicated to XXXI olympic games Rio

67.00

20 euros proof coin with box.
Coin is made of silver (Ag 925)
Diameter – 38,61 mm
Weight– 28,28 g
Quality proof
Mintage 7,000
Launched on 25 July 2016

Description

There is no greater reward and honour for an athlete than to win Olympic gold. Only the most hard-working and talented manage to reach the Olympic dream, uplifting the whole country.

Lithuania made its Olympic debut in 1924. After participating in the Olympic Games once again four years later, Lithuania — as an independent country — went o© the grid for a long period of time.

During the Soviet occupation, Lithuanians could compete in the Games only as part of the Soviet Union team. In 1952–1988, their victories were under the shadow of the crimson ³ ag; owever, back at home they were admired and hailed as national heroes. As members of the Soviet team, boxer Danas Pozniakas, canoeist Vladislavas Česiūnas, swimmers Lina Kačiušytė and Robertas Žulpa, biathelte Algimantas Šalna, athlete Remigijus Valiulis, cyclists Artūras Kasputis and Gintautas Umaras, crosscountry skier Vida Vencienė, as well as members of the volleyball, handball, basketball and football teams all brought back gold medals to Lithuania.

At the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the tricolour will wave for the seventh time in a row.

Twenty-four years have passed since the winning discus throw of Romas Ubartas and the bronze medal — which in our eyes shined like gold — of our basketball team in Barcelona (1992), marked with victories of Lithuanian athletes that  lled us with wonderful emotions.

Athletes of Independent Lithuania have won six gold medals,  ve silver medals and ten bronze medals. They brought back at least one award from each Summer Olympics. Discus throwers Romas Ubartas and Virgilijus Alekna, trap shooter Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, modern pentathlete Laura Asadauskaitė and swimmer Rūta Meilutytė were all awarded gold medals. The basketball team took the bronze three times.

At the Summer Olympics, Lithuania was represented by 222 athletes; they competed in 18 sports games. Twenty-seven athletes, competing in six sports, participated in the Winter Olympics; alas, they did not win any medals.

Until now, the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing hosted the largest Lithuanian delegation (71 athletes); however, it may be even larger this time round in Rio.