Ilkka Herola believes that alternative solutions can still be found instead of deductibles.
Sakari Lund,
Laura Arffman
On Tuesday, there was news about the plan according to which the National Ski Association athletes will have to pay a deductible for each World Cup weekend in the starting season. The maximum deductible is 500 euros and it applies to all athletes. The background is the poor financial situation of the Ski Association.
National team skier Johanna Matintalo is worried about the situation.
– Yes, it seems sad that we have drifted into this situation, that our athletes’ own funds are the means by which we begin to finance competitive activities, Matintalo said.
Up until now, the Ski Federation has only paid for athletes’ travel from Helsinki to the Games and from the Games to Helsinki. Athletes from the provinces have paid their way from home to Helsinki and from Helsinki back home.
– For various reasons, many have to live quite far from the capital region. We have always had to pay those expenses ourselves, and then we just add more on top of it, Matintalo stated.
– It’s quite an absurd idea that we have already paid before the upcoming season to get to the World Cup to do our work. Now you should pay more.
Matintalo fears that the door will now be opened to athletes paying for their competition trips in the future.
– Of course I understand that if there is no money, someone has to pay the expenses. However, in my opinion, going to the athletes’ purse is a last resort.
Five hundred euros may not sound like a lot, but domestic expenses can bring the same amount more. There are many competition weekends during the season, so the amount can grow significantly.
Matintalo’s spouse, also a member of the national team skiers Lauri Vuorinen calculates that the travel costs could be 5,000 or even 10,000 euros during the season.
Matintalo is primarily concerned about young athletes who would have a place in the Mailman Cup competitions.
– Does everyone have a chance to leave, even if there is a place?
Herola believes in alternative solutions
Combined athlete Ilkka Herola believes that other solutions can still be found than athletes’ deductibles.
– The fact that such a possibility has been discussed in the executive board does not mean that the bills are moving. As long as the invoices have not been sent, there is a chance to come up with alternative financing.
Herola also sees positive aspects in the situation.
– Unlike previous years, we now apparently know how much money is available. In that sense, the situation is now on a healthy basis. Such an option is also on the table, but I hope and believe that everyone will do their best so that there is no need to go to the deductible issue.