The Lithuanian rowing federation has announced the passing of Algimantas Mačiulis, a former rower and highly respected Lithuanian rowing coach.
“With deep sorrow, we inform you of the loss of former rower and deserving Lithuanian rowing coach Algimantas Mačiulis,” the federation wrote on its Facebook page. “Throughout his long career, the specialist trained many of the country’s rowing talents, with the greatest achievements of his students being the bronze medals won by Kristina Poplavskaja and Birutė Šakickienė at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.”
The coach was awarded the Olympic Star by the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee in 2001 for his contributions to the nation’s sport. This recognition highlights the lasting impact of dedicated coaches on athletic success.
The federation announced that the farewell to the deceased will take place on March 14th from 10:00 a.m. In the main hall of the Trakai funeral home “Liūdesio gėlės,” with a Mass to be held on March 15th at 2:00 p.m. At the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Visitation in Trakai. Following the service, the coach will be laid to rest in the Kalnujų cemetery in his hometown of Raseiniai.
“At the family’s request, memories of A. Mačiulis can be shared and his life honored with a single white rose petal,” the federation stated, expressing condolences to the family.
Born in Žieveliškės, Raseiniai district, A. Mačiulis himself trained at the Trakai boarding sports school and graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education in 2004.
From 1980 to 1986, he was a coach at the Trakai boarding sports school, from 1986 to 1989 at the Vilnius Republican boarding sports school, and from 1989 to 1990 a sports teacher-coach at the Republican Higher Olympic Reserve School.
From 1990 to 1991, A. Mačiulis was a coach at the Republican Athlete Training Center, from 1991 to 1997 at the Lithuanian Athlete Training Center, and since 1997, the head coach-sports teacher at the Lithuanian Olympic Sports Center.
Mike’o Hewitto nuotr./Birutė Šakickienė ir Kristina Poplavskaja
His most notable students include world junior rowing champions Marius Ravinskis and Eimantas Grigalius (2003); world junior vice-champion V. Klimaitė (1986); world junior championship bronze medalist (1989), and participant in the 1992 Barcelona and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, with K. Poplavskaja-Bagvilienė winning a bronze medal in Sydney; and world junior (1986) and adult (1993–2005) championship participant, and 2000 Sydney bronze medalist B. Juozėnaitė-Šakickienė, as well as world adult championship participants Daiva Šmigelskaitė (1993, 1994) and V. Šalkauskytė (1993), and world junior championship participant Alina Dainauskaitė (2002).
