Sprinter Lotta Kemppinen returns after injury scare, focuses on regaining form

Finnish sprinter Lotta Kemppinen made her long-awaited return to competition on Wednesday, opening her outdoor season at a meet in Liege, Belgium. She clocked 11.43 seconds in the 100-meter race, finishing seventh. While the time was not what she had hoped for, the most significant outcome was successfully completing the race without aggravating a hamstring injury that had troubled her throughout the spring.

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I called Mervi, asking what I should do. Should I run or not, when this feeling came up.

Kemppinen admitted she nearly withdrew from the event. The hamstring issue resurfaced during her warm-up, prompting her to call her coach, Mervi Brandenburg, for advice. After additional warm-up exercises, she decided to proceed with the race, albeit with some apprehension. "I called Mervi, asking what I should do. Should I run or not, when this feeling came up," Kemppinen recounted. She added, "If it didn't feel [sore] then, I decided to go. Of course, I was taking a small risk."

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If it didn't feel [sore] then, I decided to go. Of course, I was taking a small risk.

Despite the injury scare, Kemppinen emphasized that her hamstring held up well during the race at full intensity. Medical examinations indicate the hamstring is structurally sound, with both the tendon and muscle in good condition. However, she noted that returning to full competitive speed after rehabilitation always presents a unique test for the body. "We wouldn't go to the starting line if it wasn't healthy. The scans are clear... But you can't know how the body reacts when you go to full capacity."

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We wouldn't go to the starting line if it wasn't healthy. The scans are clear... But you can't know how the body reacts when you go to full capacity.

The delay in her season opener has been difficult for Kemppinen, who had a strong indoor season, narrowly missing the Finnish national record in the 60 meters with a time of 7.16 seconds. Training in the spring had also been promising before the hamstring problem arose. "It's been very difficult that this has dragged on for so long. It causes worry about how quickly I can regain my fitness," she said. Her primary focus now is on rebuilding her race performance, ensuring her entire race execution remains solid at full speed, rather than just physical conditioning.

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It's been very difficult that this has dragged on for so long. It causes worry about how quickly I can regain my fitness.