PARIS — In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, 21-year-old Mykolas Alekna set a new Olympic record in the men’s discus throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, briefly surpassing the mark set by his father, Virgiljus Alekna.
In a historic moment, Mykolas Alekna threw 69.97 meters in his second attempt of the final, breaking the previous Olympic record held by his father. Virgiljus Alekna, who won gold in the discus throw at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and bronze in 2008, had set the Olympic record at 69.89 meters in Athens in 2004. Despite Virgiljus’s record being broken by his own son, the Olympic gold eluded the younger Alekna.
The excitement of Mykolas’s record was short-lived as Jamaica’s Roje Stona delivered an impressive final throw of exactly 70.00 meters, reclaiming the Olympic record and securing the gold medal. Mykolas Alekna, while setting a personal and Olympic best, ultimately had to settle for silver.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in Alekna’s career, adding to his previous accolades, including a gold medal at the 2022 European Championships and a silver medal at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The Alekna family’s legacy in discus throwing remains formidable, with Virgiljus Alekna’s achievements paving the way for his son’s remarkable performance on the Olympic stage.
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