Vida Vencienė

Vida Vencienė made her international début at the 1987 World Championships, where she was 13th in the 10 km. At the 1988 Winter Olympics, Vencienė went as the Soviet’s fifth number, but surprised everyone in the first event, the 10K, by winning a gold medal, and winning a bronze in the 5 km. Vencienė then competed at the 1989 World Championships, failing to medal. Vencienė also competed at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and at the 1993 World Championships, competing for her native Lithuania, but with less success. During her career she won two Soviet titles (1985 in the relay and 1987 at 5 km) and six Lithuanian SSR titles. After finishing her sporting career, Vencienė has worked with the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee, heading the LOC’s Winter Sports Division from 1995-2004 and serving on the LOC’s Athletes’ Commission since 2001.