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Ruta MeilutyteLithuanian swimmer
Date of Birth: 19.03.1997
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
Ruta Meilutyte - Biography
Early Life and CareerRuta Meilutyte, one of the world's best swimmers, was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. Sadly, when she was only 4 years old, her mother passed away in a car accident. Despite not remembering her mother, Ruta inherited her athletic talents, as claimed by her relatives and friends. She began swimming at the age of 7 and at 13, she moved from Kaunas to Plymouth, England, to live with her father and brothers.
Rise to Success
In 2010, Ruta broke her first national record in the 50 and 100-meter breaststroke events. The following year, she won gold in the 100-meter breaststroke, silver in the 50-meter freestyle, and bronze in the 100-meter freestyle at the European Youth Summer Olympic Festival. In 2012, Ruta became the youngest Lithuanian swimmer ever to be selected for the Olympic team. She made an impressive debut by winning the gold medal in the 100-meter breaststroke event, setting a new national and European record. At just 15 years old, she became the youngest Lithuanian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal and the first Lithuanian swimmer to win any Olympic medal.
Continued Success
Ruta also competed in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle events at the Olympics, breaking another national record in the 50-meter freestyle. In the FINA World Swimming Championships in Istanbul, she participated in four events - 50 and 100-meter breaststroke, 100-meter freestyle, and 100-meter individual medley. She dominated the 50-meter breaststroke, breaking the Lithuanian, European, and championship records in the process. Ruta won gold in the event, as well as in the 100-meter breaststroke, setting more records along the way. Although she didn't perform as well in the 100-meter freestyle, finishing fifth in the first round, she still set a national record. Due to timing conflicts, she couldn't compete in the semifinals as it coincided with the final of the 50-meter breaststroke. In the 100-meter individual medley, Ruta secured second place in the first round, third place in the semifinals, and another second place in the final, earning a silver medal and breaking the national record once again.
World Record and Continued Achievements
In 2013, Ruta represented Lithuania at the World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, Spain. She competed in the 50 and 100-meter breaststroke as well as the 50 and 100-meter freestyle events. In the 100-meter breaststroke, she not only finished first in the preliminary round but also broke the world record in the semifinals. Ruta went on to win the event in the final, becoming the first Lithuanian athlete since the fall of the Soviet Union to set a world record.
Throughout her career, Ruta Meilutyte has broken numerous national, European, and championship records. Her achievements at such a young age have made her one of the most promising and successful swimmers in the world.
