PAGES 4–5 Eskilstuna getting ready for ”Folkfest” PAGES 8–9

PAGES 4–5 Eskilstuna getting ready for ”Folkfest” PAGES 8–9

PAGES 4–5
Eskilstuna getting
ready for ”Folkfest”
PAGES 8–9
Discover Eskilstuna
PAGES 12–13
Meet Irene Ekelund, the
Swedish sprint talent
1
CONTENT
PAGE 3
Welcome!
PAGES 4–5
The Concept
PAGES 6–7
The Stadium
PAGES 8–9
Guide
PAGES 10–11
Hotels and Transportation
PAGES 12–13
Upcoming Star
PAGES 14–15
Former Stars
EUROPEAN ATHLETICS COUNCIL
President
First Vice President
Vice President
Vice President
Director General
Council Members
Hansjörg Wirz, Switzerland
José Luis De Carlos, Spain
Karel Pilný, Czech Republic
Jean Gracia, France
Christian Milz, Switzerland
Francesco Arese, Italy
Sylvia Barlag, The Netherlands
Jonas Egilsson, Iceland
Liam Hennessy, Ireland
Frank Hensel, Germany
Dobromir Karamarinov, Bulgaria
Toralf Nilsson, Sweden
Erki Nool, Estonia
Antti Pihlakoski, Finland
Jorge Salcedo, Portugal
Gabriela Szabo, Romania
Salih Münir Yaras, Turkey
Vadim Zelichenok, Russia
Ex- officio Member Lamine Diack, IAAF President
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2
LOC EUROPEAN ATHLETICS JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015
President:
Members:
General
Secretary:
Pia Bosdotter Olson, member, Swedish Atlethics
Anders Albertsson, General secretary, Swedish athletics
Andreas Thornell, Head of competition, Swedish athletics
Mona Kanaan, Chairman, Cultural Affairs and Recreation Committee
Eva Norberg, Director of communication, city of Eskilstuna
Anette Pallhed, Communication manager, city of Eskilstuna
Lars-Olov Lundkvist, Chairman FE-15
Lennart Karlberg, member FE-15
Jörgen Landin, member FE-15
Karin Movin, General Secretary,
European Athletics Junior Championships 2015
EDITORIAL STAFF
Publisher:
European Athletics Junior Championships 2015
www.eskilstuna2015.com
Production: aStory Kommunikationsbyrå
Editor:
Marko Määttä
Layout:
Anders Wansulin
Text:
Maria Lagerkvist and Marko Määttä
Translation: Carolina Johansson and Språkbolaget
Photo:
Andreas Besterman, Lena Kågström, Tony Käll, Pierre Pocs,
Edis Potori, Ryno Quantz/Svensk Friidrott, Micke Sandström,
Helena Karjalainen, Erik Unnerdal, Alice Öberg
Arkitektkopia
Printer:
WELCOME
WELCOME TO ESKILSTUNA!
It is a great honour for Eskilstuna to be given
the opportunity to host such a major event as
the European Athletics Junior Championships.
Many of the greatest athletics stars started
their careers at the EJCH and we are likely to
meet the stars of the future during the summer competitions.
Eskilstuna has a strong standing as a sports
town with a diverse association and sporting
club life and many practitioners. Athletics
ranks as one of the most popular sports
among our youth. But we want to take the
sporting event further by bringing the municipality, local community associations and the
business community together to show what
we are capable of.
Together with the Swedish Athletics Association and our local associations, Eskilstuna will
offer an event filled with joy, commitment,
challenges and excitement. The EJCH 2015
taking place in Eskilstunawill consist of more
than just the sport itself, it will be a four-day
community fest with artists and happenings to
entertain the athletes, the residents of Eskilstuna, guests and visitors.
The fact that Eskilstuna was given the opportunity to arrange an international championship shows our commitment to becoming an
event city to be reckoned with.
Mona Kanaan
Welcome to Eskilstuna and we hope you
enjoy taking part in the events this summer!
Chairman of culture and recreation,
Eskilstuna Municipality
A CHAMPIONSHIP TO BEAT EXPECTATIONS
In July, it is finally time for Europe to come
together for one of this summer’s greatest
athletic events - the European Athletics Junior
Championships 2015.
It has been our target to arrange an environmentally certified event as a way to contribute
to the environmental challenge facing the
world today.
Eskilstuna has accepted the challenge and
is ready to offer an experience that beats all
expectations. As General Secretary, I am proud
to present a high-class junior championship.
We expect more than 1,000 participants from
close to 50 countries, making it the largest
EJCH ever.
I am convinced that July 2015 will be something outside the ordinary. Welcome to be part
of an event that will beat all expectations.
Karin Movin
General Secretary, European Athletics Junior
Championships 2015
Eskilstuna has a great environmental record,
and the championship has been arranged to
meet high environmental and climate standards.
THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
HELD OUTSIDE THE MAJOR CITIES
I look forward to the championships in Eskilstuna this summer with pride and excitement.
Athletics is the main Olympic event and one of
the major global sports.
It is an honor for Sweden to have been given
the opportunity to arrange the European
Athletics Junior Championships! It is particularly pleasing that the event is being held in
Eskilstuna - it will thereby be the first international athletics championship in Sweden to
be arranged outside the major cities. This is
a sign of the great commitment in the local
clubs and associations. It also shows that big
competitions are not limited to big cities. I am
convinced that Eskilstuna will show itself off in
the best of ways for all the European athletes.
I hope we will experience thrilling and exciting
competitions when the future stars of Europe
come to compete.
A heartfelt welcome!
Björn Eriksson
Chairman, Swedish Athletics Association
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4
THE CONCEPT
ESKILSTUNA
GETTING READY
FOR A ‘’FOLKFEST’’
This summer athletes from all over
Europe will come together for their
biggest sporting challenge ever – the
European Junior Athletics Championships. Meet Karin Movin, General
Secretary of the championships, who
is in charge of preparing Eskilstuna
for the event this summer.
Sweden has a good track record when it
comes to arranging sporting events. In particular, the Gothenburg European Athletics
Indoor Championships in 2013 impressed
visitors as well as participants. Now it is time
again for Sweden to host an international
championship, this time in Eskilstuna.
– Eskilstuna has passed from words to action
in its ambition to become an obvious choice
as a host city for major events. This is a chance
to show off our fantastic city and to prove that
we can accommodate many guests and make
them feel welcomed, says Movin.
ATHLETICS, BUT ALSO A ‘FOLKFEST’
The championships will make waves outside
the arena, and the whole city is getting ready
for a great celebration, or a ‘folkfest’ as the
Swedes like to say to describe an event that
catches the interest of and engages with many
more people outside of the actual participants.
The goal is to give the audience high-class
athletics but there will also be celebrations and
festivities across central Eskilstuna throughout
the championships.
– That’s part of our responsibility as championship host, to ensure that our guests have a
fantastic experience.
The event is also an opportunity to showcase
Eskilstuna to the rest of the world. With the
Eskilstuna creek meandering through town
and given the proximity to the lake Mälaren,
it was natural to use water as a theme for the
championships.
– This can be seen in our logo where water
bubbles are part of the graphic design. We
also allowed the water theme to influence the
choice of music in the arena as well as in other
details when planning the championships,
Movin added.
ENJOY THE ORGANISATIONAL
CHALLENGES
There are many functions that need to operate
and interact, such as accomodations and transport for the participants and coaches. It is also
a big deal for the athletes who have achieved
the qualification standards.
– Qualifying for the championships in Eskilstuna
is a challenge in itself for the athletes. They
are the very best juniors and the stars of the
future. Then comes the actual competition,
where they hope to deliver their very best
performances.
Movin believes that hosting the championships will have a positive impact on Swedish
athletes.
– It gives us an opportunity to focus our attention onto the younger Swedish talents and
we will make sure that our national stars get
a strong backing. But all guests, athletes, as
well as their coaches and families, are much
awaited and we want them to feel welcome
and to enjoy being part of a major athletics
competition.
KARIN MOVIN, GENERAL SECRETARY
5

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

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


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         
THE STADIUM
Each second accounted for
It’s no easy task to plan the different events during athletics
championships. At any given time there are several contests taking
place in the stadium and the timetable has to be minutely planned to
avoid unwanted clashes. Janne Åkerblom is Event Presentation Manager
and the EJCH 2015 director.
6
– We have the whole event down to the minute and every second is accounted for. Everything is written down in a manuscript. That
includes what the speaker will say and when
there will be music. Through sound and music,
and using speakers and video screens, we will
guide the audience through the championships. Athletics can otherwise be difficult to
follow since there is so much going on at the
same time, says Janne Åkerblom.
Directing the games requires flexibility, as it
is hard to foresee exactly how long a specific
event may take. Åkerblom and his colleagues
need to be in constant communication with
each contest leader working on the grounds.





THE GREEN
CHAMPIONSHIPS

Eskilstuna is one of the environmentally
smartest cities in the world. In recent years,
we have consistently topped Swedish environmental rankings and inspired other cities to
become long-term sustainable. This can be
seen in everything from climate (KRAV) certified
municipal restaurants to a wetland that is
Sweden’s largest facility for sewage treatment
– an attraction in itself.


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

Consequently, it is natural to arrange the
European Athletics Junior Championships 2015
while being attentive to the environment. Here
are some examples as to how we work in order
to create an environmentally certified event.


•
The EJCH 2015 will actively create
opportunities for visitors to act environmentally sound and to encourage a sustainable lifestyle. There will, among other
things, be clear signs about recycling.
•
Ecological food products will be premiered. The coffee served will be ecologically produced and aequivalent. At
least one vegetarian alternative will be
on the menu.
•
The electricity used on the festival area
will be green electricity.
•
Visitors will be informed about public
transport and about environmentally
friendly transportation.
•
Garbage and waste will be recycled. By
the food courts there will be recycling
bins for compost, plastic, glass, metal,
newspaper and PET/cans and incinerates.
•
The total amount of waste will be minimised and non-recyclable products will
be avoided. Our cooperation partners
can, for example, avoid disposable products and refrain from handing out flyers.
•
Eskilstuna’s drinking water is of highest
quality and appreciated for its good and
refreshing taste. The water has also won
prizes for its high standard. At the festival
area there will be water fountains for free
fill-ups.

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
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






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






– We use a network with a direct open line
and walkie-talkies. That way we can avoid
conflicts, such as an important jump or
throw coinciding with a medal ceremony.
Åkerblom and his team are currently working
on the musical arrangements. Students and
teachers at the Eskilstuna Music School have
been commissioned to compose some of the
music based on the water and bubble theme.
Music is one of several details that will contribute to an overall positive experience.
extent, athletics are numbers – results,
records and medals. But, I also want to
focus on feelings, happiness and the overall
experience. The championships are not
only about sports, they also provide a level
of entertainment. I want the audience to
feel the excitement and to be entertained,
regardless of whether the weather is bad or
if the results fall short of their expectations,
Åkerblom says.
– I want the audience to understand the
athletic achievements. There’s a lot of numbers to present and to relate to in order to
show how good the results are. To some
7
8
GUIDE
ENJOY ESKILSTUNA!
Eat
Here is a selection of restaurants and
cafés that offers Eco-friendly food.
CALLES KÖK – FEEL-GOOD FOOD
Calles Kök strives to create feel-good food.
The food is made from basics using organic
raw produce from local suppliers.
Book a table +46 (0)16-480 480
plazahotel.nu/calles
PRINTZ BAGERI – MANY VARIETIES
OF LEAVENED BREAD
Leavened bread baked with organic raw produce in a wood-fired oven can be found at
Printz Bageri. The shop sells bread, biscuits
and tasty sandwiches, organic tea and coffee,
and locally produced honey, jam and marmalades. +46 (0)16-14 00 3
REETRO CAFÉ – WELCOMING VEGANS,
VEGETARIANS AND OMNIVORES
Reetro Café uses organic, Fairtrade and
Krav-labelled products. Soup buffet with
home-made bread. Vegetarian options. Salads,
sandwiches and coffee with buns and cakes
baked on location.
+46 (0)16-13 05 13
TORSHÄLLA DELIKATESSER – DELICATESSEN
WITH HOME-MADE CRISPBREAD
At Torshälla Delikatesser, you can buy its
home-made crispbread, own coffee blend
and tea, as well as goodies such as sausages,
cheese, ham, chocolate and much more.
+46 (0)16-35 65 35 torshalladelikatesser.se
Museums
RADEMACHERSMEDJORNA
An open-air museum in the centre of Eskilstuna that is open all year round with several
well-preserved buildings from the 1650s in
their original locations. +46 (0)16-710 23 75,
eskilstuna.se/rademachersmedjorna
ESKILSTUNA ART MUSEUM
The museum is located in one of bolinder
munktell’s old workshops from 1917. The art
museum’s collections date from the 17th century to present day. +46 (0)16-710 13 69,
eskilstuna.se/konstmuseet
ESKILSTUNA CITY MUSEUM
The museum has a mechanical workshop and
steam engine hall. There is also the Little City
Museum which tells Eskilstunas history for
children. Free admission.
+46 (0)16-710 23 75, eskilstuna.se/stadsmuseet
MUNKTELL MUSEUM
More than 175 years of Swedish industrial
history including the first swedish tractor from
1913 and the first wheel loader from 1954.
+46 (0)16-13 15 23, 13 15 31,
munktell-museet.volvo.com
Activities
CYCLE HIRE
Bikes and helmets are available to hire at
Eskilstuna Tourist office för 100 SEK/day and a
deposit pf 500 SEK. Bike rental is also offered
by City Cykel at Kyrkogatan 6. Descriptions
of suggested tours are available at Eskilstuna
Tourist Office.
PARKEN ZOO
The zoo has exclusive species such as cheetahs, asian lions and the world’s biggest lizard
– the Komodo dragon. There are also pygmy
hippopotamuses and a tropical greenhouse
with crocodiles, monkeys, snakes and birds.
+46 (0)16-100 100, parkenzoo.se
VISIT SUNDBYHOLM
There is much to experience and see in this
beautiful area. Visit the Sundbyholm Castle
and the most beautiful guest harbour in Lake
Mälaren: Sundbyholm Guest Harbour. It has
a restaurant, barbecue place and swimming
area, and you can hire pontoon rafts and glide
along the shore or to a nearby peninsula where
you can book a wood-fired sauna and enjoy
views over Lake Mälaren.
Boats
ARBOGA REDERI CRUISE
On M/S Gustaf Lagerbjelke through Hjälmare
Canal. M/S Tor will take you on a prawn cruise
with troubadour entertainment and prawns in
abundance. +46 (0)19-10 71 91, +46 (0)16-710
70 00, lagerbjelke.com
REDERI MÄLARSTADEN
M/S Havsörnen operates from Torshälla harbour and Sundbyholm to Ridön, Strängnäs,
Mariefred, Birka and Mälsåker Castle. It also
operates Hjälmare Canal cruises and Stockholm cruises from Sundbyholm.
+46(0)21-13 51 71, rederimalarstaden.se
S:T OLOF
In the summer, the ’bus boat’ S:t Olof runs
between Torshälla and Rothoffsparken in
Eskilstuna several days a week. +46(0)16710 73 70, eskilstuna.nu/gora/aktiviteter/
kryssningar-och-batturer
Shopping
21:AN
21an.nu
CITYHUSET
cityhuset.com
FOLKESTA
by E20, folkesta.se
GALLERIAN
gallerianeskilstuna.se
TUNA PARK
Västerleden, tunapark.se
Other
GAMLA STADEN/OLD TOWN
Köpmangatan, gamlastadeneskilstuna.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Eskilstuna Tourist Office
Tullgatan 4
+46 (0)16-710 70 00
[email protected]
eskilstuna.nu
9
HOTELL OCH TRANSPORT
10
HOTELS AND TRANSPORTATION
ACCOMMODATION
AND GETTING THERE
CAR AND PARKING
Eskilstuna, centrally located in the Mälardalen
region, is easy to reach by car. The E20 connects Eskilstuna with Stockholm and the drive
takes only an hour. The city centre is easy
accessible on foot and cars may be parked in
one of the many parking lots or in a parking
garage.
port has international services to destinations
worldwide and a good ground transportation
network covering the Stockholm region. By
car, Arlanda is a little less than two hours from
Eskilstuna. Trains and buses run regularly
from the airport to the Stockholm central train
station where there is an easy transfer to the
Eskilstuna train.
CAMPERS
Campers and motorhomes may be parked at
Strömsholmen in central Eskilstuna. The area is
overseen by the municipality of Eskilstuna and
parking tickets are obtained at the Eskilstuna
Tourist Bureau. The fee is 50 SEK/night.
ACCOMMODATION
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Länstrafiken is the local bus company in charge
of public bus transportation in Eskilstuna and
Sörmland. The buses do not accept cash. You
may pay your fare by credit card or buy your
ticket in advance. You can also buy tickets
through an app (search “Länstrafiken i Sörmland” in App Store or Google Play to find it).
Länstrafiken also sells pre-paid fare cards that
often offer a discount. Timetables may be
found at www.lanstrafiken.se/sormland. Your
ticket to the championships includes free ride
to the stadium from Eskilstuna City.
TRAIN AND BUSES
Eskilstuna is easily accessible by train with
regular service to many Swedish destinations.
From Stockholm, the trip takes one hour. The
train station is centrally located and within
walking distance from shops, restaurants and
businesses. The bus station is 300 metres from
the station and there is a taxi stand right by the
station.
GETTING TO SWEDEN
The Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is the main
Swedish airport and an important hub for the
Stockholm region and Scandinavia. The air-
BEST WESTERN PLAZA HOTEL
– PARTICIPANTS
The Best Western Plaza Hotel is a business and
conference hotel in central Eskilstuna close to
the train and bus stations (150 metres), shopping, restaurants, banks and other services.
CITY HOTELL
– PARTICIPANTS
The City Hotell is located directly across from
the train station. It takes just an hour to reach
the hotel by train from Stockholm. The hotel
offers comfortable living and conference rooms
at attractive prices.
CLARION COLLECTION
HOTEL BOLINDER MUNKTELL
– PARTICIPANTS
The Hotel Bolinder Munktell is a unique pearl
of a hotel in central Eskilstuna. The hotel overlooks the Eskilstuna creek and is located in
the historic industrial area. At night, there is a
complimentary evening meal.
COMFORT HOTEL ESKILSTUNA
– PARTICIPANTS
The Comfort Hotel Eskilstuna is located in the
heart of Eskilstuna close to the city’s nightlife
and cultural offerings. There are bars, restaurants and a shopping centre right around the
corner. The hotel offers complimentary coffee
and tea, as well as WIFI and access to the gym
that is open 24 hours.
ELITE STADSHOTELLET
– VIP, MEDIA AND MAYBE PARTICIPANTS
This hotel is located by the water in the heart
of Eskilstuna. In addition to standard facilities,
the hotel has a large restaurant with an outdoor patio that faces the Eskilstuna creek, as
well as its own pub – the cozy Bishop´s Arms.
VILSTA SPORTHOTELL
– PARTICIPANTS
Vilsta Sporthotell is located in a scenic and
family-friendly nature reserve with an illuminated running trail and a lake as closest
neighbors. The Sporthotell is 2 kilometres from
the city centre and the same distance from the
Parken Zoo. Accommodations include a hotel,
cottages and a hostel. There is also a camping
ground next to the hotel.
SUNDBYHOLMS SLOTT
– PARTICIPANTS
Sundbyholms Slott is a castle offering a
wonderful setting for conferences, corporate
parties, romantic weddings and dining in royal
style. It is the ideal place to wind down after a
hectic week with one of the special weekend
packages.
PARKEN ZOO CAMPING & STUGBY
– PARTICIPANTS
Parken Zoo Camping & Stugby is located
right next to the famous zoo and amusement
park. It is also next door to the Parkenbadet,
a swimming pool area with several pools for
swimming and playing, and the Tuna Park, a
shopping mall with more than 60 stores and
restaurants. The four-star camping offers, in
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cottages for rent.
11
IRENE
EKELUND
12
UPCOMING STAR
”THE JUNIOR
CHAMPIONSHIPS IS
WHERE I BELONG”
– It’s really fun that Sweden is hosting a major championship like the
EJCH2015. This time, I can take the
train from my hometown Karlstad
to the event in Eskilstuna, says Irene
Ekelund, who may be the brightest
star on the Swedish junior athletics
stage right now.
Ekelund got her breakthrough when she won
the 60m and the 200m sprint races during the
Swedish Indoor Athletics Championships at
the age of 16. At the time, her 200m performance set a junior world record and in Sweden, she has run the second-fastest ever time
in the 200m.
Since then, Ekelund has made headlines and
gained international respect with her speed
on the running track. Today, she competes in
100m and 200m, the latter being her specialist event.
We met Ekelund while she visited Eskilstuna
to help inspire teenagers from the city’s four
athletic clubs. She offered advice during an
indoor running training session at Munktellarenan, an arena located in Eskilstuna’s historic
industrial area which will be used as a training
arena during the EJCH2015.
MEDIA AND RECOGNITION
PART OF THE DEAL
As one of the bright new stars, she gets a lot
of media attention and public recognition. We
asked her how she handles the press and her
rising stardom. Is it an incentive, inspirational
or just a nuisance?
– At first, I wasn’t comfortable with the attention. Now that I’m used to it, it’s easier to take.
Answering media questions and being recognized is part of the deal. The better I perform,
the more interest there is. Some periods get
more intensive than others, she says.
The EJCH2015 is definitely an important championship for Ekelund who aims to compete in
both the 100m and 200m sprints.
– I hope that I will do well in Eskilstuna and
run so fast that I have a chance to challenge
the European record for juniors on either distances.
Her goal is to run as fast as possible:
– I want to become as good as I can, reach
the Olympics and do well there. I don’t know
which of the distances to focus on, but right
now, 200m is my best distance.
Aside from running, Irene is also preparing for
a future career as a make-up and hair artist.
Her nails are impeccably painted and she radiates energy – on the running track and off it.
WILMA LARSSON FINDS
INSPIRATION IN IRENE
13-year-old Wilma Larsson is one of the teenagers listening to and learning from Irene at
Munktellarenan as she aims to become a successful middle-distance runner.
– It’s important that a girl like Wilma has as
much fun as possible. She has many years and
lots of time ahead of her. My advice to Wilma,
and others like her, is to not stress and keep in
mind that you have many years ahead of you,
Ekelund added.
Wilma listens carefully to Irene’s instructions
during practice. She likes to alternate longer
distances with shorter sprints.
– It is really good to practice with Irene says
Wilma who plans to attend the championships.
When it comes to setting goals, her dreams
are similar to Irene’s.
– I want to be successful and compete in the
Olympics one day, but I know that I need to
practice really hard to get there, Wilma concludes.
Ekelund gave them several tips and demonstrated some running techniques. The teenagers present - ranging from the ages of 13 to 17
– paid close attention.
ALMOST A FINALIST IN
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Ekelund made her senior championships debut
in 2014 at the European Athletics Championships in Zürich where she missed the final by a
mere 0.08.
– But the Junior Championships is where I
belong. It’s great to represent one’s nation. At
events like the European and World Championships everything is so much bigger, but my
preparation is pretty much the same regardless
of the event.
During the competition season, Ekelund
practices her explosiveness in two-hour-sessions three times a week. During pre-season,
she adds more practice sessions with longer
sprints, fitness training and multiple-step
practices.
IRENE EKELUND AND WILMA LARSSON
13
”SOME PEAK AT NINETEEN
– OTHERS ARE JUST
BEGINNING TO EXCEL”
With one Olympic gold, four World
Championships gold and 22 Swedish Championships gold medals,
Stefan Holm is undoubtedly one
of Sweden’s most successful high
jumpers in history. He recalls his
two Junior Championships with
pleasure, although he didn’t win
any medals.
- IT WAS A BITTER EXPERIENCE THEN,
BUT IN RETROSPECT IT MAY HAVE
BEEN A GOOD THING THAT I DIDN’T
WIN THOSE TITLES AS A JUNIOR.
It has been 20 years since high jumper Stefan Holm competed in a junior championship. It was 1995 and after a close final he
landed in sixth place.
– It was a really big thing to be part of, both
in 1993 and 1995. It proved that I was on
the right track. I was frustrated when I didn’t
win, but in the end it may have been for the
best. It kept me hungry, Holm says.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
COMPETING AS A JUNIOR AND A
SENIOR?
14
– It is more playful and relaxed at junior
championships, and you really get a sense
of that when you are there. It’s also fun to
watch juniors as it’s not always the winners
who go on to have great careers. Everyone
develops differently, some peak at 19,
others are just beginning to excel.
Stefan sees some differences today compared with when he was a junior.
– When I went away to compete as a
17-year-old I had no clue as to who I would
meet. I barely knew the other Swedes in the
troop. Today, everyone is more aware. Everyone knows and follows one another on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and they
keep track of personal bests. That’s good,
of course, but it can also add pressure.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE
SWEDISH ATHLETES TO COMPETE
IN ESKILSTUNA?
– It’s big to compete at home. I did that
during the 2006 European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg. It’s something for
the young athletes to look forward to. If the
Championships get a lot of media attention
it will also attract more young people to try
athletics.
Stefan stays involved in athletics and,
among other things, he trains Henrik
Thoms, a 19-year-old high jump talent who
reached the final at the World Youth Championships. He hopes that Henrik’s knee injury will heal in time for the championships.
– I hope he gets well. He really wants to be
part of this.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO
SOMEONE WHO IS PREPARING FOR
THE CHAMPIONSHIPS?
– To take the chance and go for it. I would
have been extremely disappointed if I had
not tested myself to see how far I could
get. The Junior Championships are really
major and a great experience, but cultivate
the awareness that life doesn’t end after
this. An athletic career lasts another ten to
15 years and you may be part of bigger
things ahead.
FORMER STARS
“I HOPE EVERYONE WILL HAVE
A FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE”
Carolina Klüft burst onto the world
stage during the 2001 European
Athletics Junior Championships, in
Grosseto, claiming gold in the heptathlon. Then she became one of the
best heptathletes of all time with her
European record of 7032 points in
2007 which still stands.
– Competing in junior championships gives
you vital experience to take into your sporting
career, says Klüft.
Success came early for Carolina Klüft, who won
an Olympic gold, three World Championship
victories and two European Championship
golds in the heptathlon among her many
achievements. Looking back, Klüft recalls her
junior years as both formative and educational.
– They’re similar to senior championships,
which makes it easier to perform well when
moving up to bigger events as a senior later
on. That said, I should add that if you don’t
compete in a junior championships when
you’re younger, you have just as much
chance of succeeding at senior level. There
are many paths to the top.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT THE EVENT
IS BEING HOSTED IN ESKILSTUNA, IN
SWEDEN?
– Competing in a championship event on
home soil is a unique experience. You can
really gain extra energy from the home crowd
as they cheer you on. It’s fantastic to see Eskilstuna supporting sport and hosting this type
of event, which is so important to our young
Swedish athletes – whether they’re competing
simply to have fun or aiming to reach the top
of the tree.
Carolina thinks this summer’s event is vital for
junior athletes.
– I hope and believe that we’ll see more of
these athletes in the future, but more than
anything, I hope everyone has a fantastic time
and gains valuable experience from which they
can draw throughout their whole lives.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO
THE JUNIOR ATHLETES?
– Let yourself be inspired, and listen to and
learn from other people – but make sure you
plot a course which works for you.
CAROLINA KLÜFT
”THE MORE FUN YOU BRING TO YOUR SPORT,
THE GREATER CHANCE YOU HAVE TO SUCCEED”
Christian Olsson was 19 the first
time he managed to qualify for the
European Athletics Junior Championships. Once there, in Riga, he made
his mark by winning medals not only
in one, but two separate disciplines.
With a gold medal in high jump and
a silver medal in triple jump he became the athlete to watch.
– Being a junior was exciting. The previous
season I’d had an explosive development and
improved my results over a short period of
time. When I took the gold in the high jump
and silver in triple jump, people really started
watching me, says Christian Olsson.
Given the high risk of injury when competing
in both high jump and triple jump, Olsson
decided to focus on one of the two, and the
decision was finalised when he qualified for
the Olympics in triple jump. It turned out to be
a successful choice that lead to, among other
things, an Olympic gold medal, a gold at the
World Championships and two European gold
medals. Olsson reckons that his success at the
European Athletics Junior Championships was
a great boost to his continued career.
– It was a great feeling to win that gold medal,
especially since I managed to do something
that Patrik Sjöberg never achieved as a junior.
Sjöberg took bronze at these championships
and knowing what he went on to achieve as a
senior made me believe even more in myself.
It also meant I managed to sign up sponsors
who believed in me.
Olsson says that junior athletes often have a
strong will that is not visible the same way in
seniors.
– A fun thing with these junior championships
is that there is a hunger there among the contestants, a sense of being invincible. Few of
them have yet to experience injuries and they
don’t see any limit to what they can achieve.
As a senior you become more aware of your
limitations, which can lead to mental barriers.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT
SWEDEN HOSTING THE
CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS YEAR?
– It’s a great feeling to compete on home
ground and to be host nation. The championships will get a lot of attention, which is inspiring for the athletes and motivates younger
people to try athletics.
While the competition is serious business,
Olsson stresses the importance of having fun
during the championships.
– The more fun you bring to your sport, the
greater chance you have to succeed. It’s important to be willing to take the chance to
succeed, even if that also opens up for the
possibility of failing. You have to have faith in
yourself. Then, anything can happen.
CHRISTIAN OLSSON
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MEET THE STARS
OF
TOMORROW
European Athletics Junior Championships
WELCOME TO ESKILSTUNA
16-19 JULY 2015!
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