Elmo Lakka broke the barriers – now he opens up about the boldest move of his career and the controversy with Arto Bryggare

When hurdlers dig in their spikes and charge hard towards that first barrier, it's never just about the physical. There's fire there, an explosive edge, that certain something that separates the ones who make it from those who fade into the stadium's shadow. Elmo Lakka is exactly the kind of guy who, on top of what happens on the track, gets the crowd riled up. And now he's back in the spotlight – this time, off the track.

The voice that won't be silenced

Lakka has done what's rarely dared in Finnish sports: he's said out loud what many are thinking. Earlier this week, his comments about Arto Bryggare caused a proper stir. The pair have a long history, and Elmo wasn't about to mince words this time either. He doesn't deal in vague statements; he tells it straight why shadows from the past still linger.

“No one's here to suck up to anyone,” Elmo says, his voice as sharp as the rhythm of his 110-metre hurdles. This is the Elmo Lakka that fans love, the one sparking the kind of debate sports media craves: gritty, personal, and above all, authentic.

Lakka, Bryggare and years of friction

Arto Bryggare is a name that still gets people talking in Finnish athletics – whether it's about his political stances or his sporting legacy. Elmo Lakka, however, doesn't look at the past through rose-tinted glasses. He feels there's been something in Bryggare's comments and attitude that just doesn't hold up. And when Elmo decides to speak his mind, he doesn't stop halfway.

This isn't a performance. Elmo Lakka is constantly on the go, and the biggest obstacle in his career isn't between those 110 metres, but how to get through the mental grind at the toughest level. The Bryggare saga is just one chapter in that book.

Iida-Lotta Juura – the one who knows the truth

There's always another side to an athlete's daily life, the one the cameras don't capture. Iida-Lotta Juura has been close to Elmo Lakka for a long time. She's not just his partner but the one who sees what happens when the lights go off. Juura has been Elmo's rock when controversies have come crashing down. And when I ask Elmo how he copes in the midst of it all, his gaze instinctively turns to Iida-Lotta.

“She knows. Without her, I wouldn't be here,” Elmo states simply.

For the Finnish sports community, it's important to see that behind the tough talk is a real person with loved ones close by. Iida-Lotta Juura is that quiet strength that doesn't show up on the scoreboard, but keeps the engine running.

The track calls – controversies aside

Even though the talk right now is about harsh words and old grievances, let's not forget why Lakka is in the headlines. He's still Finland's top hurdler, the man who can rattle the best in Europe. The summer competitions are his chance to prove it. Others can wring their hands, but Elmo knows that in the end, it all comes down to what happens in his spikes.

He's never been the type to settle for average. And that's precisely the tension that makes him so compelling.

• Getting straight to the point: Elmo doesn't shy away from conflict; he says his piece.
• The Bryggare debate: The former Olympic hurdler isn't exactly Elmo's cup of tea, and he's explaining why.
• Iida-Lotta Juura's role: She's the one holding Elmo together when the media storm is at its peak.
• Sport decides: This summer's competitions will show whether Elmo can channel his energy on the track.

Even though we're talking about words and old disputes, I know Elmo Lakka has already moved on mentally. The next time the starting gun goes off, this controversy won't be on anyone's mind in the stands. Then it'll be about times, technique, and whether the fire has been reignited in Finnish hurdling – the one that gets us off the couch. And in that game, Elmo has always been our guy: explosive, honest, and bloody good.