Mika Lehtimäki’s replacement as head of the elite sports unit has been named.
12:03•Updated 13:20
Matti Heikkinen has been chosen as the new director of the elite sports unit of the Finnish Olympic Committee. He will start in the position on September 1.
Heikkinen, 38, is a former top skier who ended his career in 2019. Heikkinen replaces Mika Lehtimäkiwho resigned from pesti in March.
Lehtimäki had received a warning for inappropriate behavior in the fall. He resigned shortly after the warning became public. The director of the top sports unit, Pesti, entered the open search in March.
reported last week that Heikkinen is a candidate for the head of the elite sports unit. At the press conference, Heikkinen opened up about why he had decided to apply for the position.
– I am the father of four children and have thought a lot about whether I would recommend elite sports to my children. I have come to the conclusion that I would recommend. However, elite sports are a fairly safe place to measure the limits of human performance, Heikkinen said.
– If there is an opportunity to be involved in such a work community, it is worth going, because there is an inner fire for top sports.
CEO of the Finnish Olympic Committee Taina Susiluoto said that “at this time” a person like Heikkinen was being sought for the position.
– We need a top sports director who is inspiring, relaxed, listens to people and gets along with people, who will go out and get this extensive network with him. As Matti said, this must be done together, Susiluoto said.
Heikkinen won the world championship and three WC bronze medals in his skiing career. Heikkinen said at the press conference that he brings to the position of director of the elite sports unit a basic understanding of the everyday life of an elite athlete.
– I always encourage you to work hard and think about how to improve. Success comes as a result, Heikkinen said.
Heikkinen didn’t want to set any medal goals for, for example, the Olympics.
– We have smart athletes and coaches who can set medal goals and think about what is realistic.
The Finnish sports people are thirsty for Olympic medals. Although the goals were not stated out loud, according to Heikkinen, the Finns’ hopes for success are “a great thing”.
– It is an asset for us. When expectations and emotions are involved, we are on the surface.
After his active career, Heikkinen has worked, among other things, in the corporate world as a communications and marketing manager and on the board of the Research Center for Racing and Elite Sports.