Alekna to star at European Athletics Permit Meeting in Kaunas this evening

European, World and Olympic Discus champion Virgilijus Alekna will be the star attraction at this evening's European Athletics Permit Meeting in his home town of Kaunas, Lithuania.
The 2-metres-tall Alekna will be looking to extend his unbeaten run of victories to 36, although the organisers have ensured he will not have things his own way with a stellar field to contend with.

Pitted against the double World and Olympic champion is current world leader Gerd Kanter (Estonia) who has thrown 72.02m already this season and Olympic medallist Zoltan Kovago (Hungary) which should make for a fascinating contest, although light rain has been forecast for the event.

"Warm summer rain won't stop us" joked Alekna during yesterday's press conference in Kaunas. "The strongest ten Discus throwers in the world will compete in Kaunas and every one of us will be looking for victory"

During the press conference, the Mayor of Kaunas City, Andrius Kupcinkas, declared ambitious plans to attract future major competitions to the city.

Having already hosted a successful edition European Athletics Junior Championships in 2005, Kaunas is now preparing to organise the European Athletics U23 Championships in 2009 and this evenings' meeting will play an important part in the preparation for that event.