Wilma Heltelä remembered as determined athlete in her hometown

European Championship pole vault silver medallist Wilma Heltelä is remembered in her hometown of Kuusjoki, now part of Salo, as a lively and athletic child, Yle reports.

Heltelä, a two-time European Championship medallist, began training with Kuusjoen Humu, a local sports club. People who knew her and followed her career say she was determined from an early age.

“She was also described as determined,” said Unto Heino, the husband of Heltelä’s childhood family day-care provider. Heino has followed Heltelä’s career closely and said her competitions are always watched with excitement.

Heltelä’s second cousin Ari-Pekka Murto-Unkila became closer to her only when they were adults. He praised her performance in Thursday’s final and said pole vaulting commands respect because of its risks.

“It is a dangerous event. If the pole breaks, things can go badly. As a child, I tried it with a wooden pole,” Murto-Unkila said.

Rauli Tuominen, who lived next door to Heltelä as a child, said she was already lively and athletic back then and did everything with full commitment. The two also trained together at Kuusjoen Humu.

Tuominen believes Heltelä’s European Championship medal will give her career fresh momentum.