The Lithuanian Swimming Federation has confirmed its 4-swimmer lineup for the 2022 FINA Short Course World Championships.
Despite saying in October that Melbourne was doubtful, 25-year-old Ruta Meilutyte is indeed on the roster, joined by Kotryna Teterevkova, Danas Rapsys and Andrius Sidlauskas.
In October while competing at the FINA World Cup Series stop in Toronto, Meiltutye told SwimSwam that she was ‘still thinking about competing’ at SC Worlds, which are scheduled for December 13th-18th.
Meilutyte’s resume boasts 6 Short Course World Championships medals, including 3 golds across the 2012 and 2014 editions. In her most recent appearance, which was in 2018 in Hangzhou, China, the ace captured 50m breaststroke silver.
Meilutyte retired from swimming in 2019 at the age of 22 after being suspended for missing doping tests. Meilutyte said that she was battling severe depression that was driven in part by the pressure to continue her success after the 2012 Olympics.
Since returning to training in 2021, she has been on an upward trajectory in the pool. This summer in long course, Meiltutye snagged 50m breast gold and 100m breast bronze at the World Championships in Budapest.
Most recently, she put on a show at the aforementioned World Cup, firing off a new Europen Record in the short course 50m breast in 28.60 in Berlin. She also clocked a new U.S. Open Record of 1:02.77, her fastest performance since 2014, while racing in Indianapolis.
For his part, teammate Rapsys also boasts a formidable history at SC Worlds.
The 27-year-old freestyle specialist earned 400m free gold and 200m free silver in 2018 while last year in Abu Dhabi he captured 400m free silver and 200m free bronze. His medals in 2021 were the only pieces of hardware earned by Lithuania, rendering the nation 18th in the overall swimming medal table.
Lithuanian Roster for 2022 FINA Short Course World Championships
Women:
Beautiful life journey unfolding
Yes! Hopefully she actually goes. She’s gotta be favourite for two golds and has two potential WRs. Hope she does well.
Not surprising given how close she was to both WR, hopefully she beats both of them
Not saying it’s the primary motivator, because she seems as happy as ever.. but those giant WR checks are rather inviting…
Agreed. For someone so close to breaking multiple records, don’t think an extra check or two won’t hurt motivating you lol