Mika Lehtimäki resigns on his own initiative. Sport reported last week that Lehtimäki had received a warning in the autumn about inappropriate behavior against women in the work community.
Ossi Saarinen,
Joel Holma
28.3. 11: 04 • Updated March 28th. 13:28
Mika Lehtimäki differs from the plague of the head of the Olympic Committee’s top sports individual. Lehtimäki spoke about the matter at a press conference held at the Sports Museum on Monday.
Last Thursday, Urheil reported that Lehtimäki received a warning in the autumn about inappropriate behavior against women in the work community. Lehtimäki acknowledged the warning and said he had changed his behavior.
– My actions have caused unreasonable harm to Finnish top sports and the Olympic Committee. I have always thought and said that sport is a bigger thing for every individual and now it is time for me to make it come true, Lehtimäki said, sighing in front of the press.
– For this reason, on my own initiative, it has been jointly agreed that I will leave my job immediately.
According to Lehtimäki, the inappropriate behavior of the autumn affected two people. He said he sent messages to people at night.
– The limit was exceeded in time and in the content of the message. The messages were too friendly. I understand that they have caused insecurity and anxiety. I made a mistake. This cannot be done in this position. The mistake is mine.
Despite the warning, the Olympic Committee appointed Lehtimäki in early March to continue as head of the top sports unit until 2024. The CEO was jointly responsible for the selection Mikko Salonen and Chairman of the Board Jan Vapaavuori and the Vice-Chairs Sari Multala and Susanna Rahkamo.
Last week, Chairman Vapaavuori defended Lehtimäki’s recent extension agreement and justified it on the undisputed merits of Lehtimäki’s work.
At a press conference on Monday, Vapaavuori stated that it is in the interests of “both the Olympic Committee and others” that Lehtimäki will not continue in his duties.
– Afterwards, it is easy to say that it would have been easier to find out if Lehtimäki’s extension agreement had not been concluded, the chairman admitted.
The Board of the Olympic Committee was not informed of the warning Lehtimäki received. Lehtimäki thanked in the newsletter (you are moving to another service) 2.3. The Board of the Olympic Committee’s confidence in the work of the Finnish top sports network.
Sports asked Vapaavuori if he would try to succeed in handling the case.
– I think I have complied with Finnish legislation here. It can’t be demanded any more, Vapaavuori acknowledged.
According to Vapaavuori, the decision to choose Lehtimäki’s successor has not yet been made. The matter will be discussed at an extraordinary meeting of the Board of the Olympic Committee on Wednesday.
– It is very likely that there will be a public search.
In 2018, Lehtimäki was selected as one of the top 50 applicants in Finnish sports.
The Olympic Committee’s Top Sports Unit manages and coordinates Finnish top sports in co-operation with, among others, sports federations and the Ministry.
The subsidies received by associations and athletes for top sports are based on the preparatory work and selections of the unit led by Lehtimäki.
Lehtimäki, 55, has previously worked in the top sports unit as a top-level program director and sports group manager. In addition, he has worked in football and hockey coaching positions in 2005–2012 and in various coaching positions in the Finnish Sports Association in 1990–2005. For a long time, Lehtimäki also worked as ‘s athletics expert.
Watch the video for the full Olympic Committee press conference.