Lithuanian Olympic champion Daina Gudzinevičiūtė has donated her gold medal from the Sydney 2000 Olympics to help the people of Ukraine, as the war with Russia continues. Gudzinevičiūtė has donated the prize to ‘Stronger Together’, a cause that has helped Ukrainians since the conflict began.
The Lithuanian became the first female gold medal winner from her nation since becoming independent from the Soviet Union, when being crowned Olympic champion at the Sydney Games at the turn of the millennium.
As well as her success down under, Gudzinevičiūtė competed at another four Olympics at Atlanta in 1996, Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008 and finally London back in 2012. The Lithuanian achieved her success when competing in the trap shooting event.
Following her final Games 10 years ago, Gudzinevičiūtė continued her Olympic career despite retiring from competition as she was appointed as President of the Lithuanian Olympic Committee. She then became the first person from her country to be appointed onto the International Olympic Committee, whilst also acting as vice-president of the European Olympic Committee.
On making her remarkable gesture to the Ukrainian cause the 56-year-old said: “Sport and Olympism symbolise world peace and unity. We wholeheartedly support the Ukrainian people, their athletes and the entire Olympic community. We contribute to a common effort in any way possible."
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The donation comes as the Ukrainian people continue to suffer at the hands of Vladimir Putin ’s invasion. As of March 24 The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner reported that 1,035 civilians have been killed with another 1,650 injured.”
A report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has revealed that over 3.6 million people have fled to neighbouring countries while an estimated 6.6 million are believed to be displaced still in their home country.
The International Olympic Committee has taken action against Russia since the war began, urgining sporting federations to sanction Russian athletes and the country as a whole. In football UEFA withdrew St. Petersburg from hosting this year’s Champions League final and banned domestic and Russian international teams from competing, which has also been echoed by FIFA.
Formula 1 has followed a similar pattern, after scrapping September’s Russian Grand Prix from the 2022 race schedule. As well as this, constructors Haas released Russian driver Nikita Mazepin from his spot in the team prior to the new campaign that kicked off last week.
