Iivo Niskanen says that he is disappointed that Kalle Parantainen has not wanted to discuss the events in Kuopio between the two of them, but has continued to discuss them only in the media.
The Suomen Cup in Kuopio was not supposed to become the most talked about event of the ski season in Finland, but now it has.
A three-time Olympic champion Iivo Niskanen and the national level skier of Kuusamo’s Erä-Veikki Kalle Parantainen the clashes, first on the track and then in the finish area, became really big topics on Sunday and Monday.
Parantainen accused Niskanen of kicking him in the leg with a ski in the overtaking situation of Sunday’s relay, where a man from Kuusamo’s Erä-Veikkoin blocked Niskanen’s overtaking lines within the framework of the rules.
After this, Iltalehti wrote I’ve broken my neck in the goal area physically to Parantainen. According to the best video of the situation, in a situation of light physical contact, however, take Parantainen.
There is no clear video evidence of the alleged kick. Take a look at the video below to see how the situation looked with a drone camera.
Niskanen has denied physical contact, and Parantainen has clearly not claimed that such a thing happened in the goal area either. Niskanen, who pushed the article towards Iltalehti during Monday with the help of his manager, is seriously considering taking the matter to the supervisory body for press ethics, the Public Word Council.
Stranger
On Monday evening, Niskanen, tired of the twists and turns of events, opened up about his feelings to Urheilu. After his emotions had cooled, he had sent Parantainen messages in which he hoped to resolve the matter in a one-on-one phone call and not through media coverage. Urheilu has become familiar with the message traffic of the duo.
– Yes, these should already be discussed among the parties at the race venue and not discussed through the media. Also competition manager (Arto Tilli) seems to be of the opinion that this method of handling is not correct or beneficial to anyone, Niskanen states.
Niskanen wrote to Parantainen that he did not consider his own language to be appropriate in the situation and that he would not want to escalate the conflict from any point of view. Niskanen said that he does not know Parantai personally.
Parantainen commented on Sunday that he appreciates Niskanen’s CV, but no This person.
– It is unfortunate that he has not wanted to have a direct conversation with me or answered my contacts. In public I will improve my speech they seem to have changed a couple of times since what happened. Although I have not dealt with Parantainen before, unfortunately he has decided to criticize me as a person as well, not just this Puijo episode. I have not intentionally touched him during or after the race.
Niskanen stated that he fully understands that the events on the Puijo race route and in the finish area deserve their own criticism.
– Could I have behaved more calmly in the goal area? Certainly. Am I proud of my involvement in such a commotion? Not in the name of anything.
Passion business
Niskanen reminds us that top sports are always about business of passion.
– I generally do not regret showing emotions at the moment of victory or defeat, it is sport and an organic part of me. Mass outputs always have ski, pole and body contacts; now it seems to have been forgotten even by sports journalists.
Niskanen has also done media cooperation with Iltalehti throughout his national team career. Now he says that he was very disappointed with the publication of the magazine.
– What dismayed me the most was the false first reporting, in which it was claimed that I approached Parantainen and barked at him. The accusations in the story rise to a different level than the so-called normal word of mouth around sports, Niskanen said in his own opinion and considered that he had provided Iltalehti with enough material to change and even refute the content of the coverage.
– Now apparently it turned out that clicks weighed more in the scales than truthfulness. It is unfortunate both for the athletes and the public.
For his part, Niskanen announced that he would stop commenting on the episode for this interview:
– Now the focus shifts completely to the next competitions. I will not comment on this matter any more and will not give it any more attention or publicity.