One clear favourite at the Pori market square
Leila Mäkisalo
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Marko Leppäniemi
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The success of Leo-Pekka Tähti at the Athens Paralympics has made the Pori native a huge celebrity in his home town in less than a week.
A small round of questions at the local market square proved that Pori residents recognised the double Olympic champion from a picture of his face alone. Everyone agreed that Tähti's accomplishments did wonders even for the image of the city.
"I watched his final on television. His victories were important for him personally and also for all of Pori", 16-year-old Marko Leppäniemi pondered, also putting in a word for the local ice hockey team Ässät.
"But that is Leo-Pekka Tähti, who won two golds at the Paralympics. The accomplishment is significant, and he fared better than healthy Finns in their own games", Leena Mäkinen emphasised.
"A disabled athlete from Pori, who won two golds in Athens", Leila Mäkisalo mused as she looked at Tähti's photograph.
"His success was fantastic, and it is great that he is able to live his life actively in spite of his disability."
"I truly think that Tähti should be selected Athlete of the Year. I know what it takes to keep in shape with disabilities, because my own brother was injured in a car crash", Mäkisalo added.
Jaakko Karmala was not quite yet ready to name Tähti the Finnish athlete of the year, but praised Tähti and his accomplishments.
"Hardly anyone else did well in Athens, even though there were plenty of people trying. Tähti is the best athlete from Pori, if nothing else", Karmala remarked.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 5.10.2004
More on this subject:
 Paralympics gold-medalist Leo-Pekka Tähti enjoying his success
Helsingin Sanomat
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