Unexpected Support for Olympic Dreams

In the early 1990s, the Lithuanian men's basketball team faced a critical funding crisis as they prepared to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Their situation gained attention when a public relations staffer from the Grateful Dead learned about their plight and immediately informed the band members. The legendary rock band responded generously, providing financial support and even custom shirts featuring a skeleton dunking in a tie-dye pattern reflecting Lithuania's national colors. This unexpected act of solidarity not only helped secure the team's participation but also led them to win a bronze medal, significantly contributing to Lithuania's strong basketball tradition.