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In commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first participation of Lithuanian athletes in the Olympic Games, the National Olympic Committee of Lithuania (LTOK) invited Lithuanians worldwide to join the "Olympic Movement's 100th Anniversary Walk Challenge." During the pre-registration period on the mobile app "#walk15," more than 7.5 thousand participants have already joined the challenge. Today, the official start was given, and those willing to join can do so throughout the challenge.
In the celebratory step challenge, participants are invited to walk for one of the 28 Olympic sports—27 in which Lithuanian athletes have competed over the past 100 years and breakdancing, where the Lithuanian debut will occur in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
Among the participants who have already joined the challenge, basketball has gained the most popularity. More than 1.6 thousand participants have chosen this sport. The most popular teams include athletics, cycling, swimming, and football.
Among the challenge participants is the 16-year-old world and European champion Dominika Banevič, who has secured a ticket to the Paris Olympic Games.
"In my free time, my mom and I love to stroll around Vilnius Old Town, so during this challenge, we will collect steps together for my beloved breakdance team," said the Lithuanian widely recognized by her stage name "B-girl Nicka."
The "#walk15" app was downloaded, and participation in the walking challenge was also joined by representatives of their respective sports, such as canoeing and kayaking, chosen by Olympian Mindaugas Maldonis.
"Currently, we are on our way to a training camp in Portugal, but I have already planned how I will collect challenge steps when I return to Lithuania—walking with my daughter," said the kayaker preparing for his second Olympic Games.
The World Lithuanian Community (PLB) has also joined the initiative.
"The Lithuanian National Olympic Committee has been and remains the guiding star for our country's sports, illuminating the path from the banks of the Nemunas to Olympic heights. The World Lithuanian Community, which today unites 55 Lithuanian communities from various countries, supports the Olympic Movement's 100th Anniversary Walk Challenge in Lithuania and joins the initiative—we already have registered members from the USA, the United Kingdom, and Ireland," said Laurynas Misevičius, chairman of the PLB Sports Affairs Commission.
He added that ultra-marathon runner Aidas Ardzijauskas would also join this initiative. In 2020, he ran around the world, previously covering the distance from Los Angeles to New York, and in 2018, for the centenary of Lithuania's Independence, he ran from Dakar to Vilnius.
The challenge will last for 100 days. It's possible to join and participate until June 7th, and awards for the top 50 most active participants will be presented on June 8th during the Olympic Day celebrations in Šiauliai.
All participants who reach the milestone of 1 million steps will receive a virtual diploma with a congratulatory message from LTOK President and Olympic champion D. Gudzinevičiūtė. These steps can also be exchanged for special prizes in the "step wallet" of the app.
To join the "Olympic Movement's 100th Anniversary Walk Challenge," simply download the free walking app "#walk15" to your smartphone. This can be done from the "App Store" or "Google Play."
