Like Father, Like Son: Lithuanian Athlete Gets Silver Medal in Paris Olympics
Lithuanian athlete Mykola Alekna won the silver medal for discus at the recent Paris Olympics, following the footsteps of his dad Virgilijus, who competed in Sydney and Athens
The Paris Olympics has drawn to a close and so many things happened with the Philippines winning two golds and two bronze medals. There are also stories of athletes who are parents competing, proving that they can still do it while attending to family life.
However, some athletes seem to follow in the footsteps of their family members who competed in various competitions. Take the case of Lithuanian discus thrower Mykola Alekna who competed in Paris and won the silver medal. The win is sweet for Mykola whose dad Virgilijus competed in the same sport during the Sydney and Athens games.
On top of his debut in Paris, Mykola also broke his father’s record at 69.97. This was eventually topped by Rojè Stona, who won the gold medal.
Mykola’s rise
Born in September 2002, Mykola didn’t immediately follow his dad’s footsteps in sports. Growing up in Europe, Mykola briefly played football before getting into track and field at the age seven.
In 2021, he moved to California, where he studied and trained at the University of California, Berkley. In 2022, Mykola found himself becoming the youngest winner at the European Championship in Munich where his dad also made a world record.
Last year, Mykola found himself entering the top 20 throwers of all time thanks to his throw of 71 meters. Although he’s new in the eyes of many, it’s clear that Mykola is someone to watch out for and making his mark in the track and field community just like his dad.
Mykola’s brother Martynas Alekna is also a discus thrower and already making his name in the field.
Inspiration for parents and kids out there
The pressure to be good at something because a parent is good at it has always been a challenge for kids. But for Mykola, despite the achievements of his dad, he defied the expectations and even shattered world records. The son has indeed surpassed his father.
So whether it be sports or academics, may Mykola and the stories of other athletes out there inspire the parents and kids of today. In an age where peer pressure is always a challenge, the support and love for one another will always matter. Make sure the child enjoys what he or she is doing because it will encourage them to do better.
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