ESPOO. At the under-23 European Championships in athletics, the focus is naturally on young athletes. This can be seen in Espoo, for example, in the form of music. So it’s more like it.
The athletes of the event were born between 2001 and 2003. Many young people like the very rhythmic Eurodance music.
– This is an event designed for young people. There must be music designed for them. You have to be in a great mood and have good energy, DJ Iiro “iipro” Kajander tells.
Good energy has really been seen in Espoo. The audience has been in the stands, but the music has also created a very good feeling.
Athletics specialist at Urheilu Jaakko Ojaniemi has liked.
– DJ has pulled really well. He always knows how to boost at the right points, Ojaniemi praises.
From nightclubs to athletic fields
Event director of the European Junior Championships Joona Haaralan is responsible for planning the event together with the DJ. According to Harala, Iiro Kajander ended up as the event’s music director somewhat unexpectedly.
– There have usually been DJs who have played a lot at athletics competitions. In a couple of days, I had to teach him what happens in athletics. There are introductions and different journeys that must include certain songs.
Haarala warned Kajander that this will be quite a mess at first. However, he has adopted the new role quite quickly.
Kajander usually plays music in a nightclub. The environment is very different.
– He has played a lot in nightclubs. I wanted to have a proper party here. Fast-paced music has been played at events in Finland for ages. However, it was nice to hear that he is a seasoned nightclub DJ, Haarala says.
The theme songs of the games
Harala says that different music is played on long and short journeys. Not at all in Satase’s runs.
One of the earworms of the Games is Heaven on Earth, a hit song from the past years that roars along the tracks.
Why, for example, has this particular song been chosen for continuous playback?
– It’s so sweet because it’s a combination of both old and young. It has really high energy, says Kajander.
Harala says that there is a hidden message embedded in the song. So it is often heard on a circuit tour.
– 400 meters is a terrible distance. It’s heavenly horrible, Haarala blurts out from the lactic acid trip.
Käärijä’s hit Cha Cha Cha also echoed from the fans of the Leppävaara stadium. It is usually played when a Finn has done well.
Music sets the mood
Jaakko Ojaniemi, who had a decent sports career as a decathlon player, recalls that music was an important part of getting into the mood.
– Especially when there was music that suited my taste. There has been generally good music here.
The shot putter who won his gold medal on Saturday Silja Kosonen says that music belongs to athletics competition.
– When we walked on the morning of the qualifiers Julia Kivinen with on the field, it felt like someone was missing. Then I realized it was music. It was so quiet. When the music came on, the feeling improved immediately, says Kosonen.
Athletes don’t really have musical aspirations.
– It’s often thanks to the athletes jamming there. Athletes don’t know how to direct their eyes to where the music is coming from. What is important is how you feel throughout the day, says Kajander.
Kajander plays for the first time in the athletics championships.
– I have liked it immensely. It’s a nice challenge because it’s really different compared to playing in nightclubs. Here, the program is followed all the time, and in addition, the atmosphere is built around it.