When the development manager of the Finnish Paralympic Committee Katja Saarinen began his speech last week to the young stars of para sports, he jumped right into the deep end.
According to Saarinen, the most concrete change is in elite sports, because internationally the level has developed at a tremendous pace.
– We have stated that we must all be able to help you even better than we have ever done before, Saarinen stated and also emphasized the athletes’ responsibility for the lifestyle of a top athlete.
Saarinen also announces to Urheilu how the level of results is increasing at a tremendous pace. This requires even more professional work from all involved in para sports.
New stars are undoubtedly needed. Since the 2010s, Finland’s success in the Winter Paralympics has been for those who have already finished, Matti Suur-Hamarin and Ilkka Tuomistonin reserve.
In Beijing emerged Santeri Kiiveri, 22, who achieved two Paralympic medals. In the big picture, the trend has been downward.
In the Summer Paralympics, success has been better, but it has depended on the bumps. Toni Piispanen (46 years), Marjaana Heikkinen (55), Leo-Pekka Tähti (39) and Amanda Kotaja (28) were responsible for Finland’s medals.
When talking about para-sports, it must be remembered that you don’t necessarily get into the sport at a young age, as some end up becoming para-athletes after being injured.
Saarinen is aware that it is necessary to be able to produce international successes better than at present. Of course, he reminds us that the number of para-athletes is really small.
– Yes, of course we need a lot more volume and quantity, from which absolute international stars will emerge in the future.
However, the operation can also be developed.
– If I were satisfied, then we wouldn’t think about what we can do better. The challenge is especially at the club level, so that the daily coaching and personal trainers of the athletes have knowledge of what today’s level of requirements means. We can certainly still help a lot in increasing competence.
Stars of the future
Last week, the Paralympic Committee announced the new Future Stars group, which includes 22 young para athletes. The group practices at joint camps in Pajulahti four times a year.
15 familiar names continue in the group. One of them is a participant in the goalball national team ring Eemi Utriainenwho leads the goal exchange in the open SM series with 53 hits.
– I have received high-level training and good coaching from the Paralympic team, but also peer support from fellow athletes and valuable lessons, Utriainen says.
Goalball has been a successful sport for Finland in recent years, as even in 2012 Finland achieved Paralympic gold at the London Olympics. At the moment, the sport lives on with a small dream of a Paralympic place in Paris, when both men and women rose back to the A series at the European Championships.
– The Paralympics is a big dream. After all, it is the biggest and highest competition that a para athlete can enter.
According to Utriainen, the men in particular have a good competition for national team spots.
– Especially there have been more young people, myself included, so I think the situation is good for the future as well. Finnish teams have the potential to rise high.
According to Utriainen, the best thing about the sport is definitely equality and, on an international level, community with other competitors. Community spirit and good spirit seem to be emphasized in the Future Stars group as well.
In Paris new with
Saarinen describes the group as insane, and he has high expectations. According to Saarinen, athletes are infinitely motivated.
– We also have athletes in this group who are already realistically applying for a place in the next Paralympics. I believe there will be new names from this group.
Medals too?
– Maybe even medalists, Saarinen smiles.
Future stars group
ATHLETICS
Mattias Asp, T46, run
Vilma Berg, T38, running and long jump
Aamu Hulmi*, T/F38, running and long jump
Eetu Kuisma, T37, running
Iida Lounela, T/F12, running and long jump
SWIMMING
Ronja Hampf*, S11
Aukasti Paakkala*, S6
Pipsa Salokangas*, S8 /SB8
PARA ICE HOCKEY
Aaron Hänninen*
Leevi Kurki,
Eemi Rovio
Niko Silén
GOAL BALL
Aino Jaakkola*, B3
Jasmin Mikkola, B2
Eemi Utriainen, B3
ELECTRIC CHAIR LIBANDY
Kasper Vuorinen
Walter Östergård*,
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Henri Kössö
TABLE TENNIS
Aaro Mäkelä, 6
RIDING
Laura Kangasniemi, group IV
BADMINTON
Venla Salo, SL4
TRIATHLON
Liina Nuoranne, PTS3
*= new group member