Golden half-hour at IPC European Championships in Espoo

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In a half-hour burst at the International Paralympic Committee's European Championships, being held in Espoo this week, Finland won its first two gold medals.
      The first went to Markku Niinimäki in the F54 shot put, with a throw of 9.56, enough to beat out world record holder Georg Tischler of Austria.
      Niinimäki had barely finished celebrating when Leo-Pekka Tähti lined up for the T54 100 metres wheelchair race.
     
As the gold medallist at the Athens Paralympics in both this and the 200 metres, Tähti had something to prove, and he did not disappoint, getting away to a fast start and holding on at the line to win in 14.95, a fast time on the soft track at the Leppävaara Stadium.
      Tähti, who became something of a hero in Finland after his Athens exploits, has admitted that the publicity has upped the pressure and the expectations.
      There was a tiny sense of disappointment that he did not win gold in the two display events held during the IAAF World Championships earlier this month, but in Tuesday's win he overcame the gold and silver medallists in Helsinki, namely David Weir of Great Britain (3rd in Espoo) and Kenny van Weeghel of Holland, who finished in the runner-up spot on Tuesday, 0.17 seconds adrift of the winner.
     
The games continue until Saturday, and Tähti will be in action again on Thursday in the T 54 200 metres event.
      Niinimäki, meanwhile, switches disciplines and goes in the F54 javelin.


Links:
  IPC Athletics Open European Championships, Espoo 22.-27. 8.2005
  IPC (International Paralympic Committee)

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