Coach takes responsibility for Helander's javelin failure at European Championships

Finnish javelin thrower Oliver Helander experienced a significant setback at the European Championships on Thursday, failing to advance past the qualifying rounds. His coach, Magnus Kirt, acknowledged the disappointing performance but maintained that the preparation process would remain unchanged.

Helander's struggles were evident in his throws, with his best effort falling just over 75 meters. The 29-year-old athlete's technique appeared to revert to old habits, including a tendency to fall after the throw, which his coach identified as a key issue. Kirt explained that Helander's arm was dominating the throw instead of the legs, leading to a loss of balance and an inability to complete the motion effectively.

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I think under pressure, the mistakes returned. The arm dominated the throw, when the legs should have led.

"I think under pressure, the mistakes returned. The arm dominated the throw, when the legs should have led," Kirt stated. He noted that even during warm-ups, Helander was rushing with his upper body, effectively falling before the throw was fully executed. While falling itself isn't inherently bad, Kirt stressed the importance of finishing the throw properly.

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Yesterday was a bad day, but we failed as a team. I take responsibility as a coach, but in the big picture, I wouldn't change anything.

Despite the outcome, Kirt, who has coached Helander for nearly a year, expressed that he would not alter their training approach. He cited Helander's own demanding expectations and a history of health problems as factors contributing to the pressure. "Yesterday was a bad day, but we failed as a team. I take responsibility as a coach, but in the big picture, I wouldn't change anything," Kirt said, adding that he and Helander were developing a better understanding of each other.

Former world champion Tero Pitkämäki, now involved in coaching pole vaulter Wilma Heltelän, expressed surprise at Helander's performance. Pitkämäki observed that Helander's technique appeared acceptable and the javelin was in a good position, noting that he had achieved much longer throws with less refined technique in the past. Pitkämäki suggested that reverting to older techniques might signal uncertainty or a minor crisis for the athlete.

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Basically, the technique looked okay, and the javelin went into a pretty good position. With much uglier technique, Oliver has thrown 83–84 meters. It was surprisingly weak.