Oliver Helander received a cortisone spike before the World Cup gig.
Oliver Helander rubs his right shoulder with his left hand at the press conference of the Finnish team on Tuesday in the United States. It is the most famous shoulder in Finnish athletics circles.
If it can withstand the pressure of the World Cup, there are no physical obstacles to a medal.
– Your health is good. This is familiar, that the shoulder has been more or less painful in recent years, comments Helander.
After the 2018 season, a tear was found in the infraspinatus of Helander’s throwing arm. Infraspinnitus is the lower scapular muscle. It is one of the muscles of the rotator cuff of the shoulder, i.e. an essential tool in the throwing movement. After every competition and throwing practice, Helander’s shoulder is massaged. In the warm-up and accompanying training, you have to do special movements to keep the shoulder in throwing condition.
– A cortisone spike was put in the shoulder before I came to the United States. It was the second of the season. Now the shoulder should be able to handle throwing. I don’t think cortisone will be given again this season.
At the Paavo Nurme Games on June 14, he set his record of 89.83. After that, the man missed the competitions in Kuortanene and Oulu. After his great arc, Helander has competed in the Stockholm Diamond League on June 30 (85.46).
– Kuortane’s shoulder had not recovered from the Turku race. In Oulu, there were minor sensations in the adductor muscle of the right leg, so I didn’t want to take any risks.
Another question mark for Oulu Pyrinnön’s thrower is the head. In the three previous adult races of his career, he has not reached the finals from the qualifiers.
– I would say that even though I have grown as a person and as an athlete since the European Championships in Berlin 2018. The qualifying should go much more relaxed.
Racer
Oliver Helander has had a shoulder injury since 2018. PASI LEISMA
Lassi from Etelätalo no need to ask if the cartridge will last. A competitor always gets the best out of himself in a tight situation.
– Competing is the best. You get excited about them in a completely different way than training. It’s mostly a psychological thing, says Etelätalo.
Etelätalo’s competition balance is excellent: fourth at the European Championships in Zurich 2014, fourth (Finland’s best result) at the World Championships in Doha 2019 and eighth at the Tokyo Olympics.
– In big competitions, you know what works in preparation. It works really well these days.
Etelätalo’s longest arc of the season has carried 82.63. He has competed only twice, and the previous start was in Orimattila a month ago.
– There was a little irritation in the area of the side and abdominal muscles, so to be safe, the opening of the season was moved to Turku. Now it’s perfectly fine.
A strange place
Lassi Etelätalo enjoys the atmosphere of the prestigious competitions. PASI LEISMA
The WC throwing place is exceptional. The speedway is located inside the running tracks. The stadium is open on the opposite side of the throwing place, and so far in the Games, a headwind has blown to the throwing place.
– The headwind drops the result level, Etelätalo comments.
The biggest challenge will be the only 10 millimeter thick launch pad.
– Especially those who throw strongly against support can have difficulties, says the Finnish coach Petteri Piironen.
The men’s javelin qualification is organized on the night before Friday Finnish time. The qualifying limit is 84 meters.
Eugene’s spear position is exceptional. PDO