Paris Olympics on channels 26.7.–11.8. Go to the competition website here. You can find the entire program of the games here.
PARIS. At the Stade de France on Sunday morning, there were historical moments for Finns.
First Ilona Mononen ran a new Finnish record of 9:22.77 for the 3000 meter hurdles, and less than a couple of hours later Krista Tervo threw the moukari into new SE readings of 74.79.
In light of the results of the season, Tervo’s record can be considered a surprise, as the Karhula Katajainen thrower hit the net in the nets of the cage in two races before the Olympics. The qualifying also started with a cage throw, until Tervo managed to get the ball out of the middle of the exit hole with one of his own.
– I have had good things to do in training. In itself, it was a familiar sight from the recent past, but it felt good to be successful, Tervo calmly described his second throw to Ylen Olympiaradio in the interview area.
Standing next to Tervo Silja Kosonen said that he did not take his competitor’s throw as calmly.
– It gave me strength. I already cried a little in between, but then I had to pull myself together when my own throw was still coming, Kosonen said.
Kosonen’s last throw carried 72.11, with which he reached the final.
– I rarely celebrate a throw immediately in the ring, but now I knew that was enough. It feels pretty great to say that you are in the Olympic final, Kosonen said.
Kosonen, representing the Turku Sports Association, was ninth in the qualifier won by Tervo. Tervo is the first Finnish woman who has won the qualification of field sports at the Olympics.
– It’s pretty crazy. The level of qualifying was lower than I expected. It feels good, a very funny situation, Tervo said.
75 meters is required for a medal
The seasons of 26-year-old Tervo and Kosonen, who is five years younger than him, have been opposites of each other.
Including the qualifiers, Kosose now has 13 competitions in which he has thrown 67 times. 12 of these throws have the letter X after them, which describes overstepping, the player flying out of the sector or the throw remaining in the cage.
Tervo, on the other hand, has competed 12 times and collected 53 throws. As many as 33 of these have no result – and in most of them Tervo has not gotten the mouk out of the cage.
– The things that cause network hits have been found very well in technology. I knew exactly what went wrong in the first throw of the qualification. I was able to position myself for the next throw so that I don’t make the same mistake again, Tervo said.
Tervo estimates that a new Finnish record will be required for a medal in the final to be thrown on Tuesday.
– I want to believe that it goes over 75 meters. I think women are getting fired up. I’m going into the finals with pretty much the same feeling as the qualifiers. The season has been difficult. There are a lot of technical things that have to be hit in the final as well. Otherwise, the moukari will probably go online. I leave with a relaxed feeling to do my best. It’s enough, what it’s enough for, Tervo said.
The Olympic final is the first for both Tervo and Kosose.
– There the race starts from scratch. It’s great to compete in the Olympic final. That’s a win in itself. Now just throw as far as you can, Kosonen said.
Kosonen and Tervo live in the same room in the Olympic Village. Both have their own preparation rites, but the competition village also has a shared activity: table tennis.
Which one of you is on top of your neck?
– Uh-huh. Suvi KoskinenTervo and Kosonen said in unison, referring to their racing sister who finished 21st in the Paris Olympic qualifier.
– We always get a little goofy, Tervo acknowledged after.