„The status of European Capital of Culture will grant Kaunas city the possibility to introduce itself to Europe. The city that is known less than it deserves to be because it has what to boast about and even more things to show off. I am happy to be the ambassador of my beloved hometown Kaunas and I am hopeful that the city will become a place of attraction not only for entire Europe. I wish a happy finish line to Kaunas!” – Rūta Meilutytė
Rūta Meilutytė is a Lithuanian swimmer, Olympic, World and European champion, multiple record setter in state women’s swimming, World and European champion. Rūta is the first sportswoman to win Olympic medal in swimming after Restoration of Lithuanian Independence and the youngest Lithuanian representative at the Olympics (She participated in London Olympics at the age of fifteen). R. Meilutytė is the first and only swimmer in history to win all the possible swimming titles in all age groups.
Appreciations
- Order for Merits to Lithuania Commander’s Grand Cross (2012).
- Lithuanian Sportswoman of the Year in 2012 (National Olympic Committee of Lithuania Awards).
- Lithuanian Sportswoman of the Year in 2012 (Lithuanian Sports Journalists’ Awards).
- Rūta Meilutytė was elected European Young Sportswoman of the Year in 2012 at the 41st General Assembly session of European Olympic committees (EOC).
- Rūta Meilutytė was elected European Young Sportswoman of the Year in 2013 at the 41nd General Assembly session of European Olympic committees (EOC).
- 3rd place at European Swimming League Awards for the Swimmer of the Year in 2012.
- Nominated at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in the category of Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year.
- Plymouth (GB) newspaper „The Herald“ elected the swimmer the Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2012.
- Kaunas Citizen of the Year in 2012.
- Lithuanian Sportswoman of the Year in 2013 (Lithuanian Sports Journalists’ Awards).