How Elise was born

In the 21st century's era of faceless ownership and corporations that sometimes treat people indifferently it is hard to believe, that the development of our country has been profoundly influenced by companies that offered workers and their families an entire circle of life. During the beginning of the previous century it was common for a company to offer housing, a school, even a church and a theater.

And of course a sports society.

Elanto, founded in 1905, was a powerful influence in the greater Helsinki area both commercially and in terms of productivity. At best Elanto had nearly 600 outlets and numerous  production facilities, such as the sausage and soda factories, the mill and the bakery. The Elanto worker's sports club, Elannon Isku, was founded in 1921.

Over the years Elannon Isku has encompassed a wide variety of sports, from strength sports to crosscountry skiing, orienteering, track and field, gymnastics and various team sports. With some success too, all the way
to the international top. Paavo Aaltonen attained a world championship in gymnastics in 1950, Kalevi Viskari won Olympic bronze in team gymnastics in Helsinki in 1952, and Jorma Valkama won Olympic bronze in the long jump in Melbourne in 1956.

With the passing of the decades Elanto co-operative's structure changed - its own production waned and the chain of outlets was significantly restructured as well. Two years shy of its centennial Elanto had come to the end of its road: it merged with Helsingin Osuuskauppa HOK, and a new S-group regional co-operative shop, HOK-Elanto, was formed.

Elannon Isku has changed from its heyday as well: at the turn of the century gymnastics and basketball were most strongly represented.

Elannon Isku has been at the forefront of rhythmic gymnastics in this country since the 1970s. The following members have represented Finland in the Olympics: Katri Työppönen, nee Kalpala (Atlanta 1996) and Heini Lautala (Sydney 2000). In the latest World Championship games (Patras 2007), eight members of Elannon Isku were part of the Finnish team: Maria Ringinen and Julia Huuhtanen as individual gymnasts and Helena Bogdan, Carita Grönholm, Nina Hanhela, Sirja Kokkonen, Vanessa Martins Lopes and Riina Määttä on the women's group .

The time has come to move forward - not in name only but in Name as well. As the basis of its new name the society took its familiar abbreviation Ells. When adding the letter "e" of moving forward (“eteenpäin”), a new name was born for this society of long traditions: The Gymnastics and Sports Club Elise.

Erpo Heinolainen