Incredible moment Olympics 2024 star breaks his DAD’S 20-year discus record on his Games debut
MYKOLAS ALEKNA broke his dad’s 20-year-old Olympic record during the discus throw final in Paris.
The Lithuanian athlete, 21, was making his Olympic debut after coming through qualifying on Monday.
He followed it up with a huge throw of 69.97m on his second attempt in Wednesday’s final.
Alekna’s throw broke his dad Virgilijus’ 20-year-old Olympic record from Athens 2004.
Prior to the event, Germany’s Lars Riedel held the record after his throw of 69.4m at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
However, the Lithuanian discus thrower surpassed it on his way to gold in the Greek capital.
Virgilijus’ throw of 69.89m went on to remain unbeaten across the previous four Games.
Alekna had already broken the 38-year-old world record earlier this year.
Back in April, he landed a toss of 74.35m at the Oklahoma Throw Series in the USA.
That record has already lasted longer than the one he set in the Olympic final.
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Jamaica’s Roje Stona narrowly surpassed Alekna’s effort with his fourth effort as he threw 70m.
Stona’s record was enough to win gold as Alekna was forced to settle for silver, Lithuania’s first of the Games following a pair of bronze medals.
Matthew Denny of Australia completed the podium in third place.
Alekna’s brother Martynas also competed in Paris alongside his younger brother.
However, the 23-year-old failed to make the final after a best throw of 58.66m in qualifying.
The brothers are following in their dad’s illustrious footsteps after a glittering Olympic career.
Virgilijus won gold at both the 2000 and 2004 Games before adding a bronze medal at Beijing 2008.