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29/10/2002 08:48 --- Tampere invites European Juniors in 2003 The 17th European Junior Championships (U'20) in athletics will be held in Tampere in Finland on July 24th - 27th 2003.
For the first time each country can send three athletes to every event, if they have reached the entry standards. That's why some 750 athletes are expected to perform in Tampere. In addition some 250 other team members will also attend. For the first time each country can send three athletes to every event, if they have reached the entry standards. That's why some 750 athletes are expected to perform in Tampere. In addition some 250 other team members will also attend.
Tampere is the 4th biggest city in Finland with approx. 200,000 inhabitants. The city is situated 180 kilometres northwest from Helsinki, which is the capital of Finland.
Tampere has for a long time been known as a strong industrial and university city, but during the last 10 - 15 years it has become one of the most important modern technology centre in Finland and in Europe.
Tampere is also a city of sports with its long and successful traditions in athletics, cross-country skiing, orienteering, ice hockey, boxing and wrestling among others. Tampere has hosted many international championships and other competitions in several sports.
Traditions live at the Stadium
The Tampere Stadium - or the Ratina Stadium as it is mostly called - was built in 1966 at a very beautiful place by the Lake Pyhäjärvi, only a few hundred metres from the city centre.
Already before this the Stadium Ratina had been an international sports venue. At the Olympic Games in 1952 some football matches, including two legendary games between the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, were played there. That's why Ratina has been permitted to use the word 'Olympic' when talking about the area.
For athletics, the stadium is famous especially for two world records in Javelin, Jorma Kinnunen's throw of 92,70 in 1969 and Tiina Lillak's of 74,76 in 1983.
Every year the international competition, Tampere Games, takes place at Ratina. Also several Finnish championships have been held there since 1966.
The Tampere Stadium is now being under renovation, after which it will be a very modern complex for both international and local sports.
Only two weeks after the European Junior Championships matches of the FIFA U'17 World Championship will be played on the grass of the Stadium.
If the Scandinavian countries are awarded 2008 UEFA European Championship, Ratina will be one of the stadiums used. For the EJCH 2003 the Novotan running tracks as well as the field event venues will get a new surface. At the western end of the Stadium, just outside the first bend, two new venues for the Long Jump and Triple Jump will be built.
The spectator capacity at the Tampere Stadium is close to 30,000.
Sports, culture and amusement
The participating teams will get a nice view of the heart of Tampere during the opening ceremonies on Wednesday evening July 23rd.
The opening march will lead the teams from the Stadium to the Central Square.
Along the route the marchers will see the Tammerkoski Rapids, which have been an important power source for industrial use.
Most of the teams will stay at the very modern Police Academy, located in Hervanta some 8 km from the city centre. Hervanta is a centre for higher education and technology.
Tampere is also famous for its diversified cultural life with lots of events especially during the summers. In conjunction with the European Junior Championships the city will be colourfully decorated due to the celebration of the annual "Flower Week".
In July, Finnish nature is normally at it's best. In Tampere the nature is always close by - green parks and forests as well as blue lakes can be seen almost everywhere.
The people of Tampere would like for the EJCH 2003 guests to visit the amusement park of Särkänniemi, only 1,5 kilometres from the city centre. Sports must never be so serious that there is no time left for joy and relaxation! | 
