The Finnish national parasports team went to the Paris Games with 16 members. The preliminary goal of six medals was not fulfilled, as Finland had to settle for four medals, none of which were gold.
Ended his sports career at the Paris Paralympics Toni Piispanen was the Finnish team’s medal group with his T51 class 200-meter windsurfing silver and 100-meter windsurfing bronze.
All of Finland’s medals came from wheelchair curling in para-athletics. Also Amanda Kotaja and finished his extensive and successful Olympic career Leo-Pekka Tähti won the bronze in the T54 classes in the 100-meter coils.
– I would personally estimate the total balance with a school grade of minus eight. The goal was not achieved, although I think it was realistic. Of course, there was a bit of fuss when there were two fourth-place finishers, the Finnish team leader Kimmo Mustonen evaluate.
The archer, the 2012 Paralympic winner, was the one who upset Musto the most Jere Forsberg’s narrowly qualifying for the second round of the playoffs.
– Jere’s narrow drop for a gold medalist To Matt Stutzman left to dig. Jere would have had the opportunity to do anything, Mustonen points out.
No Finnish para athlete was able to achieve their own record readings at the Paris Games. The concern for the future is increased by the fact that many of Finland’s top athletes ended their careers at the Paris Paralympics.
– Of course there are challenges here. It’s the same as on the winter side Santeri Kiiveri and Matti Suur-Hamari stopped after Beijing. Is there a big gap there? Honestly, we have to say that we have enough challenges for both the Milan-Cortina Winter Games 2026 and the Los Angeles Summer Games 2028.
The number of Finnish athletes in the Paralympics has decreased drastically over the past 20 years. In Athens 2004, Finland enjoyed another eight medals and 54 athletes.
In a small para sports country like Finland, it is difficult to find committed, professional athletes with disabilities.
– We have to focus on getting more athletes into the Paralympic sports and growing the sports repertoire, the team leader admits.
Hard to get into team sports
A number of first-timers from Finland were also seen in Paris.
– We usually have around thirty percent of the team first timers, just like it was here. They have two fourth places as a balance, in that sense it bodes well for the future. We have some young athletes coming, but the question is whether they will make it to Los Angeles, Mustonen thinks.
In four years, a table tennis player Only Tapolan it is hoped to be able to play “in their own class”, and not in a combined series with physically stronger players. The Finns also hope that para-trap would become part of the Paralympic sports.
– A lot of positive things can happen here, which will raise expectations for Los, Mustonen adds.
At this stage, however, there is no Finnish participation in the Los Angeles Paralympics, which will be contested in four years. When the number of teams has been reduced in recent years, in practice only eight teams can participate in the games.
– The level is just tough in team sports. I still believe that we could have a chance for summer sports in goalball and a curling team in winter.
– Of course you have to work for it, it belongs to top sport. They must get all possible support, which has been built up here over the years. The sports team also includes experts who support the athletes. The improved conditions also contribute to the advancement of Paralympic sports, lists Mustonen.
The amazing circle of the star closed
Leo-Pekka Tähti’s 20-year long, successful Paralympic circle closed in Paris with a bronze medal in reeling. He participated for the first time already in Athens in 2004.
– Of course, I value my career very highly. Every time a medal from the Games and most of them still gold. It’s a pretty amazing thing. The main thing is that I was able to win gold in four consecutive Paralympics. Even this latest bronze warms the heart, says the Pori resident.
Leo-Pekka Tähti thanks the coach for his long cooperation Juha Flinkin with.
– Top sport has gone ahead, however, it is the most important thing in coaching. He has been invaluable in that.
Tähti admits that coaching seems like a meaningful idea to him after his own racing career.
– I feel that I have learned a lot about the sport in twenty years. As a coach, I’m still a complete novice. You must definitely be able to develop yourself in that. And coaching is its own world, and not all top athletes become top coaches. That’s how I humbly look at that thing going forward, but at the moment it seems like a really meaningful idea.