Viktorija Senkute, a former UCF rower with epilepsy, wins Lithuania’s first medal in Paris

VAIRES-SUR-MARNE, France (AP) — A former University of Central Florida rower with epilepsy who won Lithuania’s first medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday hopes her achievement will help motivate others with the disorder.

Viktorija Senkute, who attended the Florida college from 2015-18, won the bronze medal in the women’s singles class. It was also the first medal for any Baltic country at the 2024 Paris Games.

“This is insane, I still feel like I’m dreaming,” Senkute said. “It’s a very big day for Lithuania, for all Baltic countries and for UCF. Everybody from UCF was watching and cheering, everybody from Lithuania. This unites so many countries, so many people.”

Senkute said she wants to use her Olympic success to help show that people with epilepsy can live their lives normally and compete at a high level.

“It means nothing to me. It’s not a limitation at all,” she said. “People who have epilepsy are normal, regular people and they win Olympic medals. So I really hope that this will be a motivation for everyone who at some point people didn’t believe in them. I kept doing what I want, what I love. And this being rowing. And this led to fulfilling my dreams.”

The 28-year-old Senkute was diagnosed with epilepsy, which causes seizures, when she was 15 and has to take medication daily to keep it under control.

“I take medication every morning and afternoon, but it’s just routine discipline,” she said. “I’m just taking it with my vitamins, so I don’t even notice. It’s really a part of my life, but it gives no limitations.”

UCF’s rowing team won four American Athletic Conference championships while Senkute was on the team.