King Harald of Norway handed over the Holmenkollen Medal to Niskanen, the highest recognition to a representative of the Nordic skiing species in Norway.
Iivo Niskanen The return to the World Cup at Holmenkollen ended bitterly, but after the race, a Finnish skier got a little balsam to his wounds.
World Cup competitions on the spot Harald v He handed Niskanen Holmenkollen Medal, the highest recognition to a representative of a Nordic skiing representative in Norway.
Holmenkollen medals are awarded to athletes who have been successful in the Value Races and Holmenkollen competitions and promotes the reputation of skiing.
– Of course I appreciate this high. It’s kind of a tribute to a career skied so far. I am taken from the prize. I have often thought that I could shake the king after the 50 kilometer race, but it happened, Niskanen says.
Kollen’s fifty winner has traditionally greeted the king.
– I politely thanked and said I appreciated the recognition. There has always been a good encouragement here in Norway and I have been well received. Many have been annoyed that I did not get to the Trondheim World Cup, but it is a sport.
17 Finns have received the Holmenkollen medal before the neck. Most recently it was awarded a biathlete Kaisa Mäkäräinen and a combined athlete Hannu Manninen In 2018.
Last year the recognition was received by skiers Jessie Diggins and Simen hegstad krüger as well as the combined star Jarl Magnus riiber.
1952 Heikki Hasu
1955 Veikko Hakulinen
1957 Eero Kolehmainen
1964 Veikko Kankkonen, Eero Mäntyranta
1965 Arto Tiainen
1971 Marjatta Kajosmaa
1972 Rauno Miettinen
1974 Juha Mieto
1977 Helena Takalo, Hilkka Kuntola
1987 Matti Nykänen
1989 Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi
1998 Harri Kirvesniemi
2011 Janne Ahonen
2018 Hannu Manninen, Kaisa Mäkäräinen