Panevėžys is the school for the World and European Champions of different kinds of sports. Many sport 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.
Panevėžys is well-known for its constantly refurbished and improved sports infrastructure: playing grounds have been constructed and repaired, a football pitch with artificial turf field, lighting and seats has been adopted for the organisation of top level matches. One of the largests halls for light athletics has been functioning. Soon it will be transformed into a modern structure. People who love sports can spend their leisure time in the facilities of street gymnastics and extreme sports. In winter, the Ice Arena under the roof serves the needs of the visitors.
R. Sargūnas Sports Gymnasium is functioning in Panevėžys. Bright future athletes of Lithuania have the possibilities for education and sports activities. Lithuania has only 3 gymnasiums of this kind.
The name of Golden Sportsmen should be given to the cyclists Simona Krupeckaitė, Aušrinė Trebaitė, Olivija Baleišytė, swimmers Danas Rapšys, Simonas Bilis, Andrius Šidlauskas.
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.
100 sports clubs are functioning in Panevėžys. This includes swimming, cycling, boxing, judo, light and heavy athletics, basketball, chess, rugby, triathlon, table tennis, Greek and Roman wrestling, football, canoe rowing and orienteering .
The inhabitants of Panevėžys boast one of the best 5 world top level and the only such Olympic standard track of 250 m in the Baltics !
Healthy life-style is promoted in Panevėžys. The bicycles paths make about 107 kilometres.
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