Vilnius, January 12 – Simona Krupeckaite has, for the second time, been elected the best Lithuanian athlete of the year after an outstanding string of wins in track-cycling in 2010 that include a world title in keirin as well as a bronze medal in sprint and a bronze in team sprint, and again a silver in keirin and a bronze in sprint at the European Championships.

With almost 63,000 votes, this 28 year old athlete was awarded the traditional LNOC prize, a sculpture entitled the “Archer“. Second with almost 52,566 votes was Linas Kleiza, the leader of the Lithuanian Basketball selection, while the third place, with 36,555 votes, went to young pentathlonist Justinas Kinderis.

As usual, the poll was organised by the NOC of Lithuania, “the Olifeja“ Lottery and the daily newspaper “Lietuvos Rytas“.