"VAN" (Sports Desk - 23.07.2025) :: ero Pitkämäki, who won a remarkable seven major championship medals during his career, and three-time medalist Antti Ruuskanen were the star guests at the athletics event hosted by the Finnish Sports Journalists’ Association in Mikkeli.
The two javelin legends offered a detailed analysis of the current state of javelin throwing in Finland and around the world to an audience of about twenty Finnish journalists. Their message was clear: the sport is no longer dominated solely by Finns, Czechs, and Germans—world-class throwers now come from across the globe.
“The sport has spread wonderfully around the world. But one thing remains true, just like in the early 2000s: to win a medal at a major championship, you still need to throw about 88 meters,” Pitkämäki emphasized.
WANING DOMINANCE They also provided a clear explanation for the waning dominance of traditional javelin power countries.
“In Germany, the Czech Republic, and Finland, team sports tend to attract young boys. The number of athletes in individual sports has decreased, so we’re now developing top-level talent from a smaller pool than before,” the duo noted.
SPECIAL GRAND STAND Members of the Finnish Sports Journalists’ Association had a prime viewing spot at the Mikkeli meet, watching the javelin competition from a special grandstand built next to the throwing area. Pitkämäki and Ruuskanen offered expert commentary on the athletes’ performances, giving the journalists top-tier insights into the technics and strategy of elite javelin throwing.
“We want to give journalists the opportunity to explore different sports under the guidance of former top athletes. This adds value to their future reporting,” explained Jari Porttila, Chairman of the Finnish Sports Journalists’ Association.
“In fact, during the event I received a message from former world record holder and Olympic medalist Jani Sievinen, saying he’d be happy to host a similar event for swimming,” Porttila added.
ACTIVE APPROACH Over the past four months, the Finnish association has organized eight events across the country, with more than 100 sports journalists participating.
“Our members have been very pleased with the active approach the new board has taken since its term began in April. It’s important for us that journalists can build new domestic contacts through our network. At the same time, we’re also bringing in an international perspective and sharing information about the work of AIPS,” Porttila emphasized.
“It was great to help open up the secrets of a sport that means so much to us. Hopefully it benefits the journalists professionally in the future,” Pitkämäki said, summarizing the event’s value.
During his career, Tero Pitkämäki won the world championship in Osaka in 2007 and Olympic bronze in Beijing in 2008. His trophy cabinet also includes five other major championship medals, and he threw over 90 meters in six different competitions.
Antti Ruuskanen won Olympic silver in London in 2012 and European gold in Zurich in 2014. He also earned European bronze in Amsterdam in 2016.
Cr - AIPS
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