Rolandas MASCINSKAS Interview

Rising Star – September 2012

Lithuania’s Rolandas Mascinskas is a special athlete. At just 19 years of age he represented his nation in the final of the men’s double sculls at the 2012 Olympic Games, where he finished sixth. This 199cm sculler began his international rowing career in 2009 and in 2010 took his first international medal, winning the single scull at the Youth Olympic Games. It was this performance that launched Mascinskas onto the senior competition circuit. World Rowing took some time out with this rising star of Lithuanian rowing to talk about rowing, his sporting hero and all his favourite things!

I row because… I enjoy how it feels.

I’m motivated… by victories.

My goal in rowing is… Olympics, Olympics, Olympics!

My sporting hero is… Virgilijus Alekna. Alekna has won two gold medals at the Olympic Games, both in discus. His first was in 2000 and the second in 2004. Alekna’s performance at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was less successful, but he still took a bronze medal. In 2007, he was appointed as UNESCO Champion for Sport.

My toughest race… My was final (of the M2x) in London this summer.

In 10 years time I will… Be a builder! Joke! I hope that I will still be rowing.

My favourite boat to row is… The quad.

On the erg, I listen to… My thoughts and create new ideas and dreams.

I study… Public Politics and Managment at Mykolas Romeris’ University

My favourite food is… My Mum’s home-cooked food.

My favourite tv programme is… FARAI. It’s a Lithuanian TV show that follows on-duty police.

My favourite book is… Koloane Franciskas’ Way of Whale.

My favourite movie star is… Chuck Norris!

My favourite website is… Facebook.

My favourite experience of the 2012 Olympic Games was… When I could relax after the stress of competition.