Elina Lampela made it to the finals in the third prestigious adult competition of her career.
Elina Lampela was disappointed at the World Championships in Eugene. After qualifying in Munich, there was a smile on the face. PASI LEISMA
Pole vaulter Elina Lampela defeated a big troll at the Olympic Stadium in Munich on Monday.
The World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics had ended with qualifying and tears. Lampela said at a press conference the day before the opening of the European Championship that he does not have good experiences in the qualifiers for prestigious competitions.
The sad streak was broken when Lampela grabbed the last place in the finals with a score of 440. There was a smile on his face at the interview point.
– On the field, I had to make sure I was in the final. Now there is no need to be labeled as a bad qualifier. A good feeling, he summed up.
In Tokyo, Lampela dropped three times from a height of 425 and was left without a result. In Eugene, 420 was not enough for the finals.
The situation seemed difficult, because the Tokyo Olympics were the first prestigious competitions at the adult level for the promise that once made records for young people in Finland.
Lampela has resorted to the help of sports psychologists to deal with disappointments and pressures.
– I have made really big insights. Sports psychologists have been a really big help, he praises.
Sports psychologists also helped Lampela overcome the fear of jumping that plagued him in the late 2010s.
The pole vaulter who won the Finnish championship at the Kaleva Games, on the other hand, helped her competing sister in Munich. Saga Andersson burst into tears at the end of the qualification, when the place in the final was lost.
Lampela went to console his national teammate.
– I know what disappointment feels like. I tried to comfort him. He is so young. There are many competitions ahead.
Elina Lampela won the Finnish championship at the Kaleva Games in Joensuu. Mikko Lieri / AOP
Lampela’s record was 453 jumps last season. 450 have gone this summer.
However, the season has been difficult, as the athlete from Oulu’s Pyrinnö injured his ankle at the GP races in Espoo in June. Lampela decided to arrive in Munich with a clear mind.
– I thought that it’s not the end of the world if things go badly. I tried to be more relaxed.
On Monday, Lampela crossed 410 and 440 in his first. 425 went on the second.
450 no longer succeeded.
– That’s when the power seemed to run out, when it was such a long qualifying, he refers to the heat of the hours.
The pole vault final will be contested on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. There are also Finns involved Wilma Murto.
The situation is exciting, because no less than four women exceeded 450 in the qualifying.
– There is nothing to lose in the final. I’m fine and the run goes on. Of course I’m going to get the record, Lampela line.