Šiauliai hosted the biggest summer sports and entertainment event in Lithuania, the Olympic Day. This year, the celebration was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Lithuanian Olympic Movement and the anticipation of the Paris Olympics. The event organizers noted that this festival's participants were extremely active. Around 20,000 people are estimated to have attended the day-long event. 

The Olympic Day returned to Šiauliai after an eight-year break. Anyone willing could try more than a hundred different sports and entertainment activities at the festival, compete in various competitions, and meet and talk to the Olympians. 

The event, which attracted thousands of participants to the City of Sun, delighted the Mayor of the City Artūras Visockas: "It is gratifying to see not only the residents of Šiauliai taking part in sport and interested in the Olympic movement, but also thousands of guests from all over Lithuania. We very much appreciate the opportunity to host the most massive sport and entertainment event in Lithuania in the City of Sun."

As LNOC President Daina Gudzinevičiūtė said, every Olympic Committee is obliged to celebrate the Olympic Day. "This celebration is meant for everyone, from the little ones to those who may not have the opportunity to participate in sport but can still have a good time here. Most of the competitions are tailored to those who are just interested in being active and want to try something out," she said.

Famous Athletes Participating In Competitions

The ambassadors of the festival also tried some of the sports and entertainment activities. This time Olympic runner Eglė Balčiūnaitė and canoeist Edvinas Ramanauskas, who had taken part in several Olympic Days, enjoyed fencing, table volleyball, and cornball most. The athletes also completed the Lithuanian Olympic Mile (1988), while Eglė Balčiūnaitė also did the 10 km running distance.

Ramanauskas' whole family took part in the Olympic Day: "I ran the Olympic mile together with my eldest son, while my little one chose the 600 m. distance. My wife helped me take the participants in the Dragon boats on Lake Talkša. It was great that we could all contribute to this beautiful celebration."

Eglė Balčiūnaitė was delighted that this year's Olympic Day was taking place in her hometown attracting so many participants. "It is a great honor and responsibility to host a real centenary celebration here, everyone will remember it for a long time. I hope we have set the bar quite high for other cities too," said the runner. 

One could also meet winter sports representatives in Šiauliai, with Olympic cross-country skier Tautvydas Strolia taking part in the 10 km running race. Former Olympic rower Saulius Ritter also chose to do the same distance.