RAMSAU, March 20, 2017 - Third winterSpecial Olympics and fifth overall-- that is the impressive track record ofLithuanian skier and runner Rūta Tuskenytė. The 34-year-old veteran isexperiencing the last days of Special Olympics thrill in Austria before movingon to even greater things in her life.
Tuskenytė comes from a small Lithuania towncalled Utena. With a 30,000 population it is not the most exciting place interms of activities. But it is one of coldest places in Lithuania with thecountry's record low of -42.5 C in 1956.
Naturally skiing is a local pursuit. Formerskier Zenonas Misiūnas is head of a local special care centre and decided thatthe best route to inclusion was through this winter sport.
The coach of the most decorated Lithuanianin this competition said: “Ruta started her career in 2003. I remember her asthis impatient and distracted girl. But the discipline of sports changed herdrastically. She knows the value of hard work now."
Tuskenytė can count her medals from variouscompetitions up to 90. The memories of winter and summer Special Olympics shinethe brightest, from Athens in 2009 to Austria now.
After winning her ninth career winter gamesmedal in Ramsau, she said: "Most of my medals are golden. But I rememberwhen I started to compete the coach used to call me the silver girl. That wasthe motivation for me. Eventually I became the golden girl."
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One of the rewards about winning medals iswhat comes afterwards. Tuskenytė enjoys competition and award ceremonies butwhat she is anticipating the most are the festivities back home.
She said: “It is the best feeling to comeback to Utena. There is fancy reception at our centre. They get us the redcarpet and fireworks even. It is very special. After that I get to go to thepresidential palace. I have been there for four times already. DaliaGrybauskaitė [Lithuania's President] knows me well!"
This is her last Special Olympics. After anillustrious career she is ready to create a family of her own.
She said: “I have a boyfriend who was myclassmate. He lives in Švenčionys and works at the hotel. He wants us to make afamily so I will be moving there to live with him. It is the big challenge forme as I grew up in a foster home and never lived alone before."
Coach Misiūnas hopes that all his work willhave helped prepare Tuskenytė for thenext stage of her life, saying: “Sport really made her a better person. Now itis the time to move on. She has become an independent woman. Skiing is the hardsport to do. You need to put in a lot and you can still lose. Ruta knows thatit is the same in life. But she is ready for it.”
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