Finnish pole vaulters question low qualifying standard at national championships

The qualifying round for the women's pole vault at the Finnish National Championships in Jyväskylä has sparked confusion and debate among athletes, with a surprisingly low bar set for advancement.

“

Pole vault is the most disadvantageous for this kind of qualification.

European champion Wilma Heltelä, whose season best is significantly higher, found herself needing to clear just 3.80 meters to reach the final. She described the situation as "the most disadvantageous for pole vault" due to the need to compete on consecutive days and use a shorter approach with a smaller pole. Heltelä treated the qualification as a "preparatory training session," jumping with only eight steps and clearing the bar on her first attempt. She suggested that athletes already selected for the European Championships should perhaps directly qualify for the final, proposing a "system" that better serves preparation for major events.

“

Clearing 3.80 meters was not easy at all.

Elina Lampela, also recovering from an Achilles injury, similarly cleared 3.80 meters on her first attempt. While she understood the "cool feeling" of reaching the Kaleva Games for young athletes, she questioned the necessity of the qualification from a personal performance standpoint. Lampela proposed a system where athletes who have previously cleared significantly higher marks, like 4.40 or 4.50 meters, could advance directly. She is now focusing on the final as a final "emptying" session before the European Championships, expressing confidence in her readiness and potential for a personal best.

“

What if all athletes selected for the European Championships could directly qualify for the final?

Both athletes are looking ahead to the finals, with Heltelä aiming for high clearances and Lampela anticipating being in surprisingly good form for the European Championships in Birmingham. The unusual qualification standard, however, has highlighted a potential disconnect between domestic competition structures and the needs of elite athletes preparing for international events.

“

From my own perspective, there is no sense in qualification. But I remember the feeling when I first got to the Kaleva Games as a young person. It was so cool!