The decision was made in accordance with the Law on Citizenship and taking into account the Citizenship Commission's recommendation, the president's press office said on Tuesday.
Ziliute-Maria, who has Italian citizenship, is the first Lithuanian to retain her citizenship after amendments to the Law on Citizenship that allow dual citizenship for outstanding merits to the state came into force last July.
A two-time European and world road race champion, a bronze medalist at the Sydney Olympic Games, a winner of two World Cup races and a six-time national champion, Ziliute-Maria is currently actively helping Lithuanian cycling athletes. She has received a number of state awards.
