Pole vaulter Wilma Murto says that all decisions regarding training and competitions are made under the conditions of the Paris Olympics.
SpongeBob Forsberg,
Anni Jämsä
A pole vaulter with an Achilles tendon injury Wilma Murto believes that he will participate in the European Championships in Rome at the beginning of June.
– I still don’t know a more detailed plan, but the European Championships in Rome are part of the program and by all accounts we will be there well, says Murto.
Murto told Urheilu what he heard at the Finnish Olympic Committee’s 100 days to Paris event on Wednesday.
Murro’s early summer plans are still in the dark, even though the achilles rehabilitation has gone well. The main goal is the Paris Olympics in July-August.
Three women’s pole competitions will be organized in the Diamond League before the European Championships.
– I hope that we will have a race or two before the European Championships. Everything depends on the best solutions for foot rehabilitation and Paris. No risks are taken because of the European Championships.
– After the European Championships, the goal would be to get into a normal competition rhythm. Good games in Finland and in the Diamond League. Then the Olympics.
Murto says that he and his team work every day with Paris in mind. Even if the European Championships are missed, the rehabilitation against Paris can be on the schedule.
– We try to make smart and moderate solutions. No unnecessary risks are taken in early summer.
Two healthy Achilles
Murto had to leave the World Championships held at the beginning of March because of a ruptured Achilles tendon. In 2023, Murto, who won World Championship bronze and European Championship gold, is considered one of Finland’s biggest Olympic hopes in Paris.
Murto says that six weeks after the injury, his situation is as good as it can be. The rehabilitation has gone really well, and training is getting closer to normal.
– At the moment, I dare to say that I have two healthy and intact Achilles tendons. There are still rehabilitation days, weeks and training ahead, but it has progressed really well and I am really satisfied.
Seivstähti’s training has remained pretty much the same despite the injury. Movements that put a strain on the trunk, such as running and jumping, have been avoided.
Being injured with the rehabilitation process during the Olympic year has been a mentally difficult situation at times, although Murto has remained confident.
– Sure, sometimes it feels like things are standing still and nothing is happening. Then the day comes when big strides are made and rehabilitation rewards its creators again. In sports, you live with emotion, it’s part of this job.
Murto broke a bone in his foot two years ago. Previous experience of surviving an injury has helped when rehabilitating the Achilles tendon. Lessons were learned, for example, on how to train the legs when you can’t put weight on them.
– We have creative solutions for how to exercise the body within the limits allowed by the injury. On the other hand, the previous situation offers credit to the fact that even though there are few challenges and setbacks at this stage of the year, good results have been achieved and we were able to succeed in the summer.
This season, Murto has currently exceeded the Finnish indoor track record of 481, which justifies the world statistics instead of sixth.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is scheduled for July 26. The competitions last until August 11. broadcasts the competition events on its channels.