“Athletics Talent” is a program for the identification and development of young talents of the Lithuanian Athletics Federation, aimed at discovering and developing talented athletes with the greatest potential to achieve high results in athletics. The programme covers the age groups of young people (14-15 years old), young people (16-17 years old) and young people (18-19 years old). Children aged 12 to 13 can also be partially included as potential candidates in the future.

The program is based on a holistic approach that involves testing and evaluating both physical and psychological aspects. A talent ID profile is formed for each athlete, which allows to individualize the educational process and provide the necessary support. This approach not only ensures the athlete’s readiness to achieve high results, but also strengthens his psychological resilience and ability to overcome challenges.

The program builds on the Long-Terme Athlete Development Strategy (IALS), which focuses on the sustainable development of athletes, ensuring that they achieve their athletic maturity and high results only after achieving the right level of preparation, avoiding the negative consequences of early specialization.

The main objectives of the programme are:

• Talent selection and group formation: Identify potentially gifted children with not only physical but also psychological abilities to achieve high athletic performance.
• Physical and psychological education: To consistently monitor, test and develop athletes, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to reach the highest limits of their capabilities, reaching athletic maturity and avoiding the consequences of early specialization.
• Education and support: To provide knowledge about sports, healthy lifestyle, nutrition, psychology and training methodologies by providing consultations to athletes and their families.
• Integration into the sports community: Promote community spirit and a positive social environment so that athletes can successfully integrate into the sports community and ensure sustainable development

This program provides young athletes with opportunities not only to achieve high athletic performance, but also to develop personally, develop life skills, and achieve long-term sports careers.

Detailed information about this project can be found on the federation’s documents page.