Riitta Salini, 73, has a remarkable routine every morning: “Isn’t it enough for a pensioner?”

It is already 50 years since Riitta Salini’s incredible ME run. Pete Anikari

When Riitta Salin warmed up for the 400-meter final of the European Championships in Rome on September 4, 1974, he could hardly have imagined, even in his wildest imaginations, that the race that will be talked about almost 50 years later on the windy beach of Helsinki’s Munkkiniemi is about to begin.

Salin looks at the shiny surface of the sea and says that he visits a nearby open-air swimming spot every week. It’s one activity that has kept the ex-athlete in excellent shape.

Salin goes to the gym a couple of times a week, goes for a run 3-4 times a week, and exercises in the morning for 40 minutes before starting her daily chores. Knee replacement surgery in the front brings more functional capacity.

– Isn’t that one thing a day enough for a pensioner, Salin laughs.

The phone receives a message from an old track and field friend, who also participated in the European Championships in Rome Pirjo from Wilm (b. Häggman). They and the other women of the Finnish competition team (Nina Holmén, Pirkko Suominen (b. Helenius), Tuula Rautanen and Marika Eklund-Lindholm) still meet two or three times a year.

– And there is enough talk.

“Leaved like a morning train”

Salini’s year 1974 had gone well without any illnesses, and his condition was in all respects. Even business studies didn’t hinder the preparation, because the coach I met Ilkka you knew how to do short and effective exercises in the evenings.

The beginning of the final was still under observation, when the Federal Republic of Germany By Rita Wilde took command.

– He started like a morning train. However, the last 200 meters were my show of strength. That run was bullish.

The track lap had previously been run faster with manual timing, but electronic timing was used at the Rome Games: the digital ones stopped at ME time 50.14.

At the finish line, Salin looked like he couldn’t even believe what had happened. The 24-year-old Finn, who was clearly overcome by an emotional storm, buried his face in his hands.

– It feels pretty crazy that it’s already been 50 years.

It also feels pretty wild that a Finnish woman has once held the world record for a prestigious high-speed distance. Current record holder Marita Koch has held the world record since October 1985.

Finnish super celebrity

Salin’s life took a new direction after the victory. Among other things, she was chosen as Athlete of the Year, Most Popular Finn of the Year and Woman of the Year. His image ended up on, among other things, a paper doll and a plastic bag.

The shy teenager became a super celebrity of his time. One can only imagine what the attention would have been like in the modern world of social media.

– Colleagues asked in the restaurant how you can eat when your every bite is being monitored. If I went to a clothing store to try on clothes, someone would go after them.

– I’ve never liked being in public, but when I was younger I could handle it better.

However, the sports career brought a lot of self-confidence, which Salin needed to pursue a long career in PR and communications. He retired from the job of information director of Oy Ford Ab in 2015.

– I’d rather let the CEO speak than be on the show myself.

The meaning of money

After his active career, which ended in 1976, Salin has been in charge of the national team, as well as on the board of SUL and as vice-chairman. In addition, he was the chairman of Viipur’s Athletes for two years.

– It was nice to see that side of sports, even though it wasn’t really my thing, Salin admits.

– The importance of money increased a lot. I had to get coaching support, even though the conditions weren’t right even for the top of Finland.

Salin recalls that during his active days, he went to southern camps for a couple of weeks a year at most – and even those were more recreational trips. Winter training sessions were held on slippery and muddy roads.

– It’s good that today’s athletes have social media, through which they can get additional support. We weren’t even allowed to advertise. I remember how Lasse Viren was meant to be discus when he brought out the spikes.

Salin still actively follows athletics – and women’s sprints are of course the subject of great attention.

– It would be great if my 400 meter Finnish record would be broken during my lifetime.