The Nike Prefontaine Classic competition in Eugene (USA, Oregon), which is called one of the most prestigious stages of the Diamond League, was very successful this time for both Lithuanian representatives who appeared there – discus thrower Mykolas Alekna and runner Gabija Galvydytė.

Only last month (June 16), the world record holder M. Alekna, who returned to the competition sector after a painful injury, this time threw 71.06 m in the best attempt and won 1st place and 8 points in the “Diamond League”. They are important in order to get to the league final and compete for the best name there. The representative of the Alekni dynasty left behind Slovenian Kristjan Čeh (69.94 m), Jamaican Roje Stona (67.42 m) and other titled discus throwers on the planet.

This return was very symbolic for Mykolas – he returned not only to the elite of the Diamond League, but also to the state, where he was injured while preparing for the new season. The track and field athlete moved from California to the University of Oregon last summer. However, due to an injury suffered in March, he never made his debut for the university team during the NCAA season. By the way, it was at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene that M. Alekna won silver. Later, he repeated this achievement at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

The walls of her home also helped G. Galvydytė – this time the runner, who is currently training in Judzin, covered the mile distance in 4 minutes 21.43 seconds and improved her own Lithuanian record by more than 6 seconds (4 minutes 27.96 seconds). In this run, the Lithuanian competed with the strongest runners on the planet – Nikki Hiltz, Faith Kipyegon, Georgia Hunter-Bell, Jessica Hull and won 9th place.

Just a month and a half ago (May 16) Gaija, who made her debut in the “Diamond League”, improved the Lithuanian 1500 m record and became the first Lithuanian to cover this distance in less than 4 minutes – 3 minutes 59.74 seconds.

The next round of the Diamond League will take place on July 10 in Monaco.

Photo by Alfredas Pliadis