Panevėžys is the school for the World and European Champions of different kinds of sports. Many sports stars started their carriers in Panevėžys. The basketball players Arvydas Sabonis, Šarūnas Marčiulionis, the Champion of the Olympic Games Virgilijus Alekna were brought up here.
In recent years the city cyclists, kick boxers, boxers, karate sportsmen and swimmers won the World and European gold and silver.
The name of Golden Sportsmen should be given to the cyclists Simona Krupeckaitė, Diana Žiliūtė, Edita Pučinskaitė, Rasa Polikevičiūtė, Rasa Mažeikytė, Vilija Sereikaitė, Aušrinė Trebaitė, Gintarė Gaivenytė.
A number of sportsmen, coaches took part in the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Atlanta, Sidney, and Athens.
Panevėžys can boast international and national competitions. The World Ultra Triathlon and Double Triathlon Championships take place. The initiator of these competitions is the so called Iron Man Vidmantas Urbonas. The competitions of Track and Field Athletics to win the Cup of the President of Lithuania are already a tradition.
Sports play an important part in every day life of the residents of Panevėžys. 18 kinds of sports are cultivated in the Centre of Sport. Over 100 sports clubs are functioning in the city. Two swimming pools, the facilities for track and field athletics, the sports centre AUKŠTAITIJA are used to develop the sports skills.
Football is more famous than basketball in Panevėžys. The city is known for the Football Club EKRANAS.
Healthy life-style is promoted in Panevėžys. The bicycles paths make about 100 kilometres.
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