Lithuania

Prior to its annexation by the Soviet Union in 1940, Lithuania competed at the Olympic Games of 1924 and 1928, but failed to win any medals. Lithuania also competed at the 1928 Olympic Winter Games. From 1952 to 1988, many Lithuanians competed for the USSR. During this time the most successful Lithuanians have been the basketballers Angelė Rupšienė (two gold in 1976 and 1980) and Modestas Paulauskas (one gold and one bronze in 1968 and 1972). Rimas Kurtinaitis, Šarūnas Marčiulionis, and Arvydas Sabonis all won gold with the Soviet basketball team in 1988 and added two bronze medals in 1992 and 1996 with the Lithuanian team. Also Lithuanian handballers competed successfully within the Soviet team, most noteable Aldona Česaitytė-Nenėnienė (two gold in 1976 and 1980) and Voldemaras Novickis (one gold and one silver in 1980 and 1988). The cyclist Gintautas Umaras won two gold medals in 1988 and the cross country skier Vida Vencienė won gold and bronze in 1988.

After the Soviet revolution of 1991, Lithuania declared and was granted its independence, and its National Olympic Committee was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1991. Lithuania returned to the Olympic fold in 1992 by competing at both Albertville and Barcelona. Subsequently, the nation has competed at every Olympics since then. Through 2012, Lithuanians have won 21 Olympic medals, six of them gold. Two of these Olympic titles have been won in the men’s discus throw, with Virgilijus Alekna winning that event in 2000 and 2004. Alekna followed the Lithuanian tradition in discus throw as Romas Ubartas won this event in 1992 after finishing second in 1988 (while represeting the Soviet Union).