Radio | News week in plain Finnish | Saturday 15 June 2024

Finland and javelin throwing

Here is Uutisviikko in plain Finnish and Pälvi Tammi. The topic of the news week is Finland and javelin throwing.

The European Athletics Championships have ended in Rome. Finland got 1 medal there. The bronze medal came from the javelin. Now we will tell you more about the subject.

Javelin throw history

Javelin throwing has been a favorite sport for Finns since the end of the 19th century. Jonni Myyrä already won Olympic gold in men’s javelin in 1920 and -24.

Finland has always been the best country in men’s javelin throw in the statistics of prestigious competitions.

Matti Järvinen, Hannu Siitonen, Antti Ruuskanen and Tero Pitkämäki have won Olympic medals in javelin. Seppo Räty won 3 Olympic medals.

Finnish men have won Olympic gold in the javelin 7 times. Gold medalist Tapio Rautavaara also became a singer and movie star.

Oliver Helander

This week at the European Championships in Rome, Oliver Helander won bronze in the javelin with a result of 85.75 meters.

Helander saved Finland’s reputation when no other medals came.

27-year-old Oliver Helander arrived in Finland late Thursday evening. He was given the congratulations of the President of the Republic, Alexander Stubb.

Women’s javelin

Women started competing in the javelin in the 1930s.

Tiina Lillak was the first Finnish woman to throw over 60 meters. In the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Lillak threw silver with a result of 69 meters.

Heli Rantanen won Olympic gold in 1996 in Atlanta.

Mikaela Ingberg won bronze at the World Championships and two bronzes at the European Championships.

Paris Olympics

Javelin throwing has been an important sport for Finns. The first javelin school was founded in 1976. In javelin schools, young throwers practice the sport.

The next big competitions for javelin throwers are the Paris Olympics. Eyes will again be on Oliver Helander at the beginning of August, among others.

Repeat

The topic of the news week was Finland and javelin throwing. Let’s repeat the most important things.

Javelin throwing is an important part of Finnish sports tradition.

Oliver Helander won bronze at the European Championships in Rome this week. The next big games are the Paris Olympics in early August.

This was Uutisviikko in plain Finnish, see you again. Goodbye!