Suek may initiate an investigation into suspected misconduct on its own initiative. However, in the case of the Olympic Committee, an external investigation would require the initiative of the Olympic Committee, as the incident took place before the reform of the disciplinary rules.
The Finnish Sports Ethics Center (Suek) believes that an external study Mika Lehtimäki would be a good solution for all parties.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Education and Culture announced that it wanted a report from the Olympic Committee on how the inappropriate behavior had been addressed. The ministry does not comment on the Lehtimäki case.
Suek would support an external investigation in the case of the Olympic Committee. It would require a request from the Olympic Committee for an investigation, as the incident occurred before the turn of the year rule.
– An external investigation would give credibility to the system, Suek’s General Counsel Petteri Lindblom tells BTI.
Discipline in the sport changed at the turn of the year so that Suek could initiate an investigation into the suspected abuses on its own initiative. However, the rule change only applies to violations that have occurred during the new rules, ie this year.
– This case of the Olympic Committee also shows that a change in the rules became necessary, Lindblom emphasizes.
The rule change was made under the leadership of the Olympic Committee, but not all federations have yet committed to the change. According to the list on the Olympic Committee’s website, thirty federations are included. According to Lindblom, in some unions the amendment to the rule requires more than one processing for it to take effect.
– The Olympic Committee was the first to commit to the new rules, Lindblom says.
According to Lindblom, Suek’s reporting system Ilmo receives a lot of reports of suspected violations. A service for sports organizations and the Population Union You are not alone has also been set up to help victims of ill-treatment.
The Board of the Finnish Olympic Committee will hold an extraordinary meeting today. A press conference will be held tomorrow at 11 am will broadcast the event live.
According to a press release from the Olympic Committee, the chairman will be present at the press conference Jan Vapaavuori.