The Grateful Dead Makes Lithuanian Basketball Bronze Possible
Funded partly by the US rock band the new independent nation beat the former Soviet Union
Sporting Witness · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
In 1992, newly independent Lithuania managed to get its basketball team into the Barcelona Olympics after American rock band Grateful Dead agreed to help with fundraising. A brilliant generation of Lithuanian players then won a bronze medal in a grudge match against the former Soviet Union. Witness speaks to Arvydas Sabonis and Gintaras Krapikas, two members of the Lithuanian side.
With contributions from journalist Ramunas Bogdanas
Picture: The Lithuanian team in their Grateful Dead shirts, Credit: Getty Images Sports Classic