Finland won, as did Gothenburg

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By Ari Pusa in Gothenburg
     
      The Finnish athletes at the European Athletics Championships could be divided into four categories: achievers, standard-maintainers, newcomers, and tourists.
      The achievers were Jukka Keskitalo, Tero Pitkämäki, and hammer- thrower Olli-Pekka Karjalainen. They brought home a gold and two silver medals. Karjalainen's silver medal on Saturday was furthermore achieved with his best throw of the year.
      All three are fine athletes, for whom one wishes nothing but success.
      Matti Mononen (frustratingly 4th in the pole vault) and Janne Holmén (marathon, 7th) can also be included in the achievers. They were the only remaining Finns who scored points in Gothenburg.
     
When Curt Lindström of Sweden coached the Finnish ice hockey team to its only World Championship title so far, back in 1995, he used to coax and encourage his players to deliver more by saying: lite bättre - "a little better".
      Those would have been fitting words for the athletes who managed to reach the standard of their present form: Oskari Frösen (high jump), Ville Tiisanoja (shot put), Mikaela Ingberg (javelin), and Paula Tarvainen (javelin) all landed outside the points in positions 9-11.
     
Hurdler Piia Roslund, walker Jarkko Kinnunen, and heptathlete Maija Kovalainen were the newcomers. These young athletes may yet prove a source of joy for Finnish athletics enthusiasts, provided they manage to continue their training free from injuries.
      They already demonstrate the right attitude and motivation.
     
Apart from a couple of exceptions, the rest of the Finnish team seemed like a group of tourists enjoying the (at least initially) summery Gothenburg weather. The male sprinters started the heats well, but suddenly speed just drained from their legs.
      The two other heptathletes Salla Käppi  and Niina Kelo produced solid series, but reaching the 6,000-point mark seems a real task.
      There were 49 athletes representing Team Finland. Between 20 and 25 would have been the right size.
     
The European Championships are a good yardstick for the standard of athletics in Finland. At last year's World Championships Finland achieved only one bronze medal.
      No wonder the Finnish athletics directors lobbied in Gothenburg for organising the European Championships every two years, instead of the present four-year arrangement.
      Some other countries, such as France, warmed up to the idea somewhat, but the reason why the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) would rather keep organising the World Championships every other year is clear: the larger event brings in more cash. As Abba used to sing: Money, money, money.
     
Gothenburg produced well-organised games, better than the World Championships in Helsinki last summer. Why is this?
      The difference was in the details. When it rained towards the end of the week the organisers provided the spectators with raincoats. The tickets were cheaper than in Helsinki. And even the security guards managed a smile.
      Ok, what else? The festive atmosphere throughout the city was on a different level from Helsinki, and this was because the home team gave a good account of itself. Sweden finished sixth in the medals table with three golds, a silver, and two bronze medals.
      It rained less. It could hardly have rained more than it did in Helsinki.
      Last but not least: Finland won gold!


Previously in HS International Edition:
  FRIDAY NIGHT: Jukka Keskisalo storms to surprise European gold in 3,000 metres steeplechase (11.8.2006)

Links:
  European Athletics Championships, Gothenburg

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