The breaststrokers have found a good training partner in each other, and expectations for the Paris Olympics are high. The work is done, in the last few meters we are honing our top condition – and enjoying ourselves.
Kaisa Sjögren,
Rami Koivula
The swimming pool in the center of Pori is empty of people in the summer, but it is not quiet there. The coaches’ voices echo off the tiles as you swim Matti Mattsson and Ida Hulkko finalizing their competition condition for the Paris Olympics starting next week.
Swimmers think that training together is worthwhile. Hulkko appreciates Mattsson’s experience, Mattsson appreciates Hulkko’s different swimming technique.
Both are competing in the Olympic breaststroke, Mattsson in the 200-meter distance and Hulkko in the 100-meter distance.
At the training camp in Pori, Hulkko builds a good competitive spirit and hones his speed and technique.
– I guess this was an open invitation or at least I pushed myself here, if nothing else, Hulkko from Tampere laughs about ending up in Pori.
Right timing for peak performance
The Paris Games, which have been Hulko’s goal for seven years, are the swimmer’s second Olympics. The race place was secured only in the last meters. Behind is a varied season, but Hulkko is hopeful.
– I live from racing and I love that feeling of excitement. They tried to get in top shape for the European Championships, but it didn’t work out because of the timing. I knew that the Paris Games would probably be in the background. Now we just need to get it lit in the right place.
Ida Hulkko swam the Finnish record in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics. However, he did not get a place in the finals.
– After Tokyo, there was a lot of hard work in the competition machinery. Yes, I got over it myself, for many years I have tried to recover from it and find a new direction for my career.
According to Hulko, there is room for maneuver in the 100-meter breaststroke to develop one’s fitness, and the Paris Games are now in a good place.
– Top performances are still ahead, he announces.
Change in training pace
Matti Mattsson cheated on his place in the Olympics already at the beginning of the year, which relieved the pressure.
– There must be a little twinkle in the corner of the eye when doing it. It’s been nice to have a new training partner in Ida, after a year of hard work with another bald head, Mattsson comments on his coach’s training for the season Eetu Karvonen with.
The experienced swimmer’s calendar was changed in April, and after five years there are now two pool workouts per week instead of one.
– I try to avoid analyzing too much. If I feel a little bad in the pool, I try to get over the feeling and focus on what I’m doing so I don’t get stressed. At home, a couple of small children at least move the thoughts of swimming somewhere else rather hastily, says Mattsson.
Six of the fellow competitors registered for the Paris Olympics have broken Mattsson’s Finnish record time in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Last minute plans relaxed
Mattsson has reduced the intensity of the exercises for the last couple of weeks. Hulkko agrees on the importance of rest.
– The work is done, the last meters are just digging out top condition and listening to your own body. To be able to rest, that is my own plan at the moment, says Ida Hulkko.
– Quite a journey has been made, now it’s time to enjoy, Matti Mattsson continues.
Mattsson has one thing he needs to be reminded of every year.
– It’s our own track and race that we’re going to do. In swimming, there is no physical contact with other athletes, but you are in the situation yourself and are responsible for what you do. My own focus, that’s how it works, he says.