Date of birth

13 February 1972

Place of birth

Terpeikiai Village, Kupiškis District, Lithuania

Education

2005–2009

Master’s in Training Systems, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (currently Lithuanian Sports University)

1999–2005

Bachelor’s in Physical Education, Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (currently Lithuanian Sports University)

1991–1992   

Vilnius Pedagogical Institute (currently Vytautas Magnus University Education Academy)

1985–1989   

Boarding School for Sports in Panevėžys

1982–1985   

Secondary School in Subačius (currently Subačiaus gimnazija (upper secondary school))

1979–1982   

Primary School in Lukonys Village, Kupiškis District

Work experience

2011–2016

Sports Advisor, Ministry of the Interior

1994–2011   

Dignitary Protection Department under the Ministry of the Interior (currently Dignitary Protection Service of the Republic of Lithuania) 

Political career

No party affiliation 

2020–2024

Member of the 13th Seimas

Member, Committee on National Security and Defence

Chair, Commission for Youth and Sport Affairs

2016–2020

Member of the 12th Seimas

Member, Committee on National Security and Defence

Deputy Chair, Commission for Youth and Sport Affairs

Member, Migration Commission (2018–2020)

Member, Commission of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian World Community (2016–2018)

Miscellaneous

Former athlete, discus thrower; gold-medal winner and record-holder of the Summer Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004; twice world champion; European champion; national champion and record-holder; four-times winner of the Sportsman of the Year in Lithuania; winner of the World Athlete of the Year and European Athlete of the Year; first medallist of the independent Lithuania at the European Championship in 1998.

Awards: Athlete of the Year 2000, announced by the US magazine Track & Field News; Cross of the Knight of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas for sports achievements (1996); Grand Cross of Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (1997, 2001); Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas (2003); first Lithuanian to become the European Athlete of the Year 2005; UNESCO Champion for Sport designated by Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in recognition of the contribution to promoting sports in schools and to commitment to UNESCO ideals (2007); Badge of Commander of Sports Honour from the Department of Physical Education and Sports under the Government of the Republic of Lithuania for contribution to Lithuania’s sport on the occasion of the 40th birthday anniversary (2012)

Honorary Citizen of Athens

Foreign languages: English, Russian

Hobbies: golf, active recreation, travelling

Family

Wife Kristina, daughter Gabrielė, sons Martynas and Mykolas