Santeri Örn – how is a hundredth of a second made?
Sprinter Santeri Örn understands the importance of measurability and tiny details. Just like in manufacturing, nearly everything in sprinting can be measured. Details can be refined almost endlessly. But how do you create the decisive difference?
Who is Santeri and how did he choose sprinting?
Santeri says he has always been very active and athletic since childhood. Originally from Polvijärvi, he tried nearly every sport available in his hometown. At the age of 15, he worked as an official at small local competitions. He was encouraged to join a 100 metre race and, as he describes it himself, ended up running an age group national level time almost by accident.
He did not have a significant running background at that point. However, a local coach became interested in working with him, and they continue their cooperation to this day.
Santeri says he became interested in sprinting once he understood how deeply you can develop within the sport. Training felt meaningful, and he found that individual sports suit him well. Responsibility for both success and difficult moments can always be found in the mirror. He compares individual sport to entrepreneurship, as both require working on your own terms, putting in the effort, and taking full responsibility for your performance.
Key milestones in Santeri’s career
Santeri highlights setting a district record at the age of 19 as a particularly important and motivating achievement. It strengthened his belief in his own potential.
Selected achievements:
- Finnish youth championship gold, 100 m, 2018
- District record, 100 m, 10.72, 2018
- Finnish youth championship gold, 2021
- Finnish national championship title at Kalevan Kisat, 2023
Santeri reflects very maturely that he has experienced success at the right pace throughout his career.
How do you improve by one hundredth of a second?
Improving by a hundredth of a second in the 100 metres is a demanding goal. According to Santeri, training volumes increase significantly. Since sprinting is an outdoor sport, conditions also have a major impact on performance.
This is why he emphasises the importance of a certain level of relaxation in the approach to the sport. Gusty winds or even light rain can affect performance so much that your own effort may feel wasted. Personal records are rarely achieved through force alone. Instead, success requires staying relaxed and trusting your own work.
Strong confidence also helps Santeri through more difficult periods. He says he sometimes handles pressure better and sometimes not as well. He highlights the importance of a good coach, especially during challenging times.
Kuva/Photo: Anssi Mäkinen
How to stay motivated when your body is not cooperating?
A couple of years ago, Santeri was diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease. He has had to adopt new routines to support his treatment. Since an athlete works with their body, he has had to find a way to combine elite sport with a demanding chronic condition.
Santeri is grateful that the right treatment has been found. He has been doing well and says he has not grown tired of questions about his health. On the contrary, he is open about it, hoping his story can offer support to others.
During difficult moments, he keeps his past successes clearly in mind. According to Santeri, their impact is powerful. He also praises the people close to him, who have always supported him.
What does the support from Ouneva Group enable?
Santeri values Ouneva Group as a partner especially because of our local roots. He actively promotes North Karelia, making the partnership a natural fit in terms of shared values. While Ouneva contributes to the region’s wellbeing, Santeri keeps North Karelia visible through his own work.
He says the support enables things such as international training camps and, more broadly, a holistic approach to training. He enjoys training camps abroad with other athletes, although returning home is always special.
What’s next?
Santeri’s goal for this season was the European Championships in August. However, an acute appendicitis disrupted his summer plans. Recovery requires patience, so goals had to be adjusted.
This season’s focus is on a successful recovery, while the long term focus is already set on the European Championships in 2028.
On his days off, Santeri enjoys fishing, so this summer the goals might shift from the track to the size of the catch. Tight lines to our partner athlete!