FINNISH FEDERATION ANNOUCES NEW NATIONAL COACHES

JAVELIN -

In the most successful department of Finnish Athletics
Mauri Auvinen quite rightly remains as overall 
Head of throwing events. Kari Ihalainen also continues
in his role with the javelin and is joined by the much 
respected coach Esa Utriainen, a former national coach
who was also a 90m thrower with the old spear in the 
early 1980's.

SHOT -

Matti Yrjola and Antero Paljakka continue to supervise
the shot in which event Finland - with seven men over
20 metres this season and possessing the new Olympic
champion - is now a major world power.


DISTANCE RUNNING -

By contrast to the throwing disciplines the coaching 
regime for Finnish distance running has undergone a
total revolution.

SINKKONEN RETURNS
Kari Sinkkonen the coach to 1972 Olympic 1,500 metres
champion Pekka Vasala and 1973 World Cross Country Champion
Pekka Paivarinta has been restored to the post as Head
distance running coach by the Finnish Federation. 

Sinkkonen last held the reins of power at the Federation
in the early 1980's and since his departure Finnish
distance running fortunes have fallen back into
a similar depression as occured in the early 1960's. At
that time the Federation made a bold move and hired 
the legendary New Zealand coach Arthur Lydiard to help
revive their former glories.

Sinkkonen is a "pupil" of the Lydiard school of coaching
and the Finnish public will be hoping that once again
Sinkkonen will be able to weave the same magic that in 
part brought about the Finnish running renaissance of
the 1970's.

Former sub 8:20min steeplechaser Tommy Ekblom and former 
head distance coach Timo Vuorimaa will be among the
team of assistant coaches.