The chairmen of the Olympic Committee were aware of the warning received by Mika Lehtimäki before he was elected to continue. Susanna Rahkamo says that there were long discussions about the future. “This should not happen in working life,” says Rahkamo.
Sports said on Thursday that the head of the Finnish Olympic Committee’s top sports unit Mika Lehtimäki last autumn, she received a warning from her employer about inappropriate behavior against women. Lehtimäki and the Olympic Committee acknowledged the case.
At the beginning of March, the Olympic Committee announced that it would extend the Lehtimäki agreement until the end of 2024. The agreement includes an option until 2026. Lehtimäki was responsible for the selection Jan Vapaavuoren chaired by the Presidium and CEO of the Olympic Committee Mikko Salonen.
Vapaavuori and Salonen commented on the selection on Friday. Sport reached its 1st vice-president on Saturday Susanna Rahkamon than the 2nd Vice President Sari Multalan. Of these, Multala refused to be interviewed.
Rahkamo tells Urheilu that he heard about the incident in November from Chairman Vapaavuori after a warning was given to Lehtimäki. Rahkamo finds the case really unfortunate.
– Above all, I was annoyed by the women who were harassed. This should not happen in working life. At the same time, I am really proud of the courage of these women to bring up such cases. Only by bringing them out can they be tackled vigorously, Rahkamo says.
Despite the warning, Lehtimäki was elected to continue as head of the top sports unit. According to Rahkamo, the presidency held discussions with Lehtimäki.
– Yes, there was a long discussion with Lehtimäki about how to move forward. No new cases had come to light and the punishment had been served. Everyone knows that a written warning in an employment relationship is a very harsh punishment and a serious matter. Lehtimäki said that he had learned a lesson, Rahkamo says.
What does it mean for the Olympic Committee and the sports community to have zero tolerance for misconduct and harassment if the warning of misconduct has no effect on the continuation of an expiring director’s fixed-term contract?
– Zero tolerance means that when a case comes to light, it is taken really seriously and handled thoroughly. An appropriate punishment will be given for it, Rahkamo replies.
According to Rahkamo, the discussions on the future of Lehtimäki were in-depth.
– There were many opinions, thoughts and reflections on whether or not you can continue. The breach did not initially result in termination. Thus, there was no obstacle to the continuation of the employment relationship, since it was not initially terminated. It was seen that punishment had been obtained and suffered.
“It’s not an easy thing to do after this”
Rahkamo welcomes the public debate on the case. In Rahkamo’s opinion, there is still a lot to be done in sports and society to promote equal working life.
In what way does the current public debate affect how Mika Lehtimäki can continue in his position?
– Let’s see. It’s not an easy thing to do after that. A lot depends on how Mika himself reacts and how things move forward, Rahkamo answers.
– No new cases have come to the attention of the Olympic Committee since the autumn. If any come or open, they will be processed. However, the autumn issue has been closed. As a result, there was no obstacle to Lehtimäki’s continuation, as the case had been punished. People make mistakes and hope to learn from them.
“I myself am in favor of transparency”
Urheil said on Friday that the warning received by Lehtimäki was not communicated to the members of the Olympic Committee’s board, although the board discussed Lehtimäki’s election.
– The Board of Directors made a decision in principle about the future of Lehtimäki without knowing about this case, Rahkamo explains.
Would it not have been essential for the government to know that the person being considered for the next term has been warned of the misconduct – even if the case has not been opened any further?
– I myself am in favor of transparency, Rahkamo replies.
“Harassment can be addressed”
According to Rahkamo, the board is constantly considering its own ways of operating, and this is also the case after the Lehtimäki incident. According to Rahkamo, the board of the Olympic Committee will meet next week.
The strategy of the Olympic Committee states that responsibility must be taken into account in all activities. The values of the strategy emphasize management and operating on ethical grounds.
According to Rahkamo, the warning received by Lehtimäki shows that “harassment can be addressed”.
– At the same time, we have a terrible job to do when such cases come. Education, teaching and leadership training must be increased terribly so that this does not happen, Rahkamo emphasizes.