Nette Kiviranta found out about the rejection of the Paralympic venue just a week before the day of departure. The International Paralympic Committee is demanding a license from the participants for the last two seasons. Kiviranta only received its injury classification this season.
According to the IPC, athletes participating in the Paralympics must have a license for the last two seasons. Kiviranta only got its injury rating this season and dropped in its first races in November. In January, at the World Sledding World Championships, Kiviranta grabbed silver from his first championships.
– I can’t say that it would have been a complete surprise, even though I was afraid of evil. Many said that prepare for the start, if in this situation you would not understand the situation too, Kiviranta tells Urheilu.
The Finnish Paralympic Committee tried to get an exemption for Kiviranta in Beijing, but the IPC strictly adhered to its criteria.
Kiviranta was informed of the denial of its Paralympic venue only a week before departure.
– When we went so far that we should have left in a week, this surprised me. A little empty. All I have done is leave, apply for hepatitis vaccines and practice. Then it was announced, even after the deadline of the international committee, that I would not leave. If the information had come a little earlier, I might have digested it a little better, Kiviranta ponders.
– When I was already mentally prepared, there is quite a storm on. Suddenly injecting completely new plans and thinking about what to do now for three weeks.
Kiviranta says that it has received the information in Levi.
– I’ve mostly been to the lodge wiping tears from my cheeks. I was wondering if I would go home to do a physical exercise or go downhill. There is little head on the bike.
The rating transaction was canceled due to corona
In principle, participants in the para competitions are always required to have a rating, which Kiviranta only received this season. The rating event is held once a year in Europe and once in the United States. Last year, the event was canceled due to the corona, which is why Kiviranta could not compete last season.
– You could compete without a rating, but I also get a credit for the rating, so I think it would be unfair to compete. When the ratings were canceled, I thought in the midst of the corona and all the hassle of still trying to compete. I thought back then to train this season and make my debut next season. At that point, I couldn’t think of the Beijing rule criterion.
Kiviranta and the Paralympic Committee believed that the International Paralympic Committee could be flexible in its rules due to the cancellation.
– Korona put everything new and the rating events were canceled, but they still didn’t go flexible. It’s not that I want to make a comeback at the Olympics, but I’ve progressed day after day after the accident.
Kiviranta graduated last spring as a student, and the original idea was to raise grades this spring.
– I put them aside (plans) at the point where I decided to leave for Beijing. I have been unread for a month and now is a month for writing. Let’s see if I make a final break there. That’s why it would have been nice to know earlier, Kiviranta regrets.
Kiviranta believes that with regard to Beijing, all the stones have now been turned, and there is no hope anymore.
– The Finnish Paralympic Committee said that it had done everything. I wonder if someone who signed the rules didn’t want to stick to the rules. And in that, it’s understandable that rules are rules. The reason they are made, Kiviranta sighs.
There may be some other competition for the rest of the season. If there is no such thing, the focus will turn to next season’s World Cup.
– Let’s see if a summer species is invented yet, Kiviranta decides.
Corrected at 12.30: Ingress International Olympic Committee as International Paralympic Committee