The Lithuanian discus thrower Virgilijus Alekna holds the second all-time world record in discus throwing. Twice an Olympic champion (2000 and 2004), twice world champion (2003 and 2005) and European champion (2006) in his discipline, he was elected best overall athlete for 2005 with 19 victories in 20 competitions by the European Athletic Association (EAA).
Virgilijus Alekna was designated UNESCO Champion for Sport on 23 November 2007. In this capacity, Mr Alekna will be involved in the Organization’s activities aimed at encouraging the inclusion of sports in the educational system and advocating the importance of physical education and its ethical and social values.
Virgilijus Alekna designated as UNESCO Champion for Sport The Lithuanian discus thrower Mr Virgilijus Alekna was designated UNESCO Champion for Sport by Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, the Organization’s Director-General, at a ceremony on 23 November at UNESCO Headquarters. More
