The Youth Olympic Days are held in Finland. will broadcast some of the race events live.
Youth value competitions give the athlete an experience, after which there are fewer things to wonder about and come forward as new in similar competitions for adults. For many, the European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOF) are the first contacts in international competitions, although this week in Suokkamo Vuokatti, alpine skiing will be attended by, among others, those who have already competed in the Olympics. Rosa Pohjolainen.
– Through experience, you grow into a top athlete. Especially these multi-sport events are good. In these you get to know others and get to be in touch with other sports, a biathlon coach Maija Holopainen said to BTI.
Little goals for the next season
Being part of a team in value competitions is already educational. Taking others into account, helping, supporting and encouraging them are things that are valuable skills beyond the sports bubble. There are things around the performance of the competition that are different from what many young people experience.
– Testing skis and targeting guns in these events is different from what they have done. For example, that alignment with coaches and not with father or mother. In general, acting young without parents.
Regarding the importance of international competition experience, Holopainen takes the example of successful World Championships in youth, where the team also had EYOF competitors.
– Last year we had seven first-timers at the World Championships for young people. It showed: it was a bit difficult, it was tense, we tried something we didn’t know, and expectations were a little too high, Holopainen recalled.
As they gain experience and motivation, athletes get to compare their own current level with their peers and see where they need to improve.
– From that, they get good little goals for training for the next season.
The international multidisciplinary environment gives a lot to the athlete, but also to the coach.
– These are very pleasant. Seeing a little of how other sports do things, and getting to know the coaches of different sports. When you talk, there is always something you can bring to your everyday life, Holopainen says with a smile.
The Nordic likes medals
Rosa Pohjolainen has gained international experience right up to the Olympics, but she considers the EYOF event important and its significance for a young athlete.
– For many, it is the first experience of international competitions, meeting new people. If you succeed, you can get more motivation. It has a spacer on the way (for bigger races).
For him, EYOF week has a more community significance.
– It’s a nice race event with friends. You can compete in your home Finland. As a result, I look forward to medals, otherwise I’m looking forward to a nice get-together and a nice countdown.
These competitions shows:
13.50 Skiing for girls (7.5 km)
15.25 Cross country, 10 km (s)
18 Summary of the day’s events
12.30 Biathlon, girls 6 km
15.10 Biathlon, boys 7.5 km
18.00 Summary of the day’s events
18.00 Snowboarding, big air for girls and boys
19.15 Summary of the day’s events
13.05 Alpine skiing, doubles
19.30 Summary of the day’s events
12.50 Hockey, girls final
19.15 Summary of the day’s events