Halli-MM 2026: Thrills, drama, and surprises at the Nanjing arena

It's official. The World Indoor Championships are underway in Nanjing's massive arena, and the atmosphere has been nothing short of incredible. When you hear the familiar sound of Finnish cheers from the stands, you know there's something special in the air. I've been following athletics around the world for a decade, and it's looking like this is going to be a true classic. As always, a little piece of Finland has been brought here – and it's a real heart-warmer.

From a Finnish perspective, it's been full of drama right from the start. As expected, the high-calibre heats have been a real test. The way Baas fought in Valiera – that was truly commendable. Even though a spot in the next round remained out of reach, the pace and fighting spirit shown gives us real hope for the future. Kangas was absolutely brilliant in his own class, but that time of 13 seconds in the heat is a stark reminder of just how fast you need to be here. This is top-tier competition where every hundredth of a second counts.

Where champions are made and legends linger

A global event like this always carries that unique atmosphere you only find in legendary indoor arenas. Even though the championships are being held here in Nanjing, my mind is filled with images of other famous battlegrounds. Watching the intense focus on the faces of elite athletes, it's easy to recall the epic contests seen in massive venues like Deutsche Bank Park or Jyske Bank Boxen. History has been made in those places, and it feels like the same is unfolding here.

Every arena has its own soul. Ondrej Nepela Arena has witnessed truly magical moments on ice, but indoor track and field brings its own distinct energy. Here in Nanjing, the buzz is the same. It's that feeling when the crowd and athletes become one, and only the best come out on top. It's exactly what we all came to see.

Let's take a moment to talk about the legends of the past who always seem to cast a shadow over events like this. A giant like Uljana Semjonova once dominated the court in a way all her own. That certain charisma and power that leaves the crowd breathless – it's the same phenomenon we're seeing surface at these championships.

Why you need to soak this all in right now

Back in Finland, we tend to think of summer as the real season for sports. But you know what? Indoor track is raw and honest. There's no wind to contend with, no weather excuses. It's a straight-up battle, pure results, and it's often the place where the stars of tomorrow first truly make a name for themselves.

The Finnish team is full of belief and grit. Even though the path has been rocky, as it always is, I'm confident we'll see some amazing successes as the championships progress. Here are a few things to keep an eye on:

• The Finns in qualifying: Watch closely to see who makes it to the finals. There are always surprise packages.
• World records: The track in Nanjing is famous for being fast. I wouldn't be surprised if a world record falls this weekend.
• Pure fighting spirit: We've already seen in these championships that the athletes are giving it everything. That's the best sport has to offer.

In my years in the sport, I've learned that this is as real as it gets. When you're watching the screen and see athletes leaving it all out on the track, you know you're witnessing something unique. We have some of our own big names heading into Saturday's finals, and I believe there's a genuine upset in store. Keep your fingers crossed and enjoy the spectacle – a moment like this doesn't come along every day.