Jonne Kähkönen decided before the start of the competition season that he would not continue as the head coach of the Finnish biathlon national team. In Kähkönen’s opinion, the Finnish coaching system should be made more national team-driven.
Head coach of the biathlon team Jonne Kähkönen has decided not to continue as head coach of the team. Kähkönen’s contract expires this season. The decision was made well in advance of the start of the competition season and was influenced by many things.
– Certainly the most important thing is that I do not feel that I can be a coach according to my name, but there is so much else involved in the job, Kähkönen told Urheilu.
There are many things in the job description of a biathlon head coach, but Kähkönen feels that he wants to coach above all else. He would like to coach all the athletes of the national team, but in the current system in Finland it is not possible.
Kähkönen understands that in a small association like the Finnish Biathlon Association, there are many tasks and resources, but there should be more auxiliary hands and feet to do everything else related to running the team.
– This is certainly a challenge in Finnish sports as a whole, but when there has been a pandemic for the last couple of years, a lot of work has literally fallen on my neck. It has made it difficult for me to be able to keep in touch with athletes, sparring athletes and personal trainers in a good way.
According to Kähkönen, the coaching has been provided by others, ie personal coaches. Over the last four years, the national team has been able to train together for about 60-70 days a season. It has meant that the national team will train together from May to June, after which the athletes will train with their own coaches before the national team starts the competition season together.
– If we think about our opponents in the world, then that system cannot stand very far. Or far too much is left for athletes to be able to pull that sled alone.
A clear line and philosophy will continue in the hope
Kähkönen is not yet sure where he will look next, but the development of the species in Finland is still of interest.
– I see that there is potential in our sports community at the moment. We would definitely be able to make a much tougher result than we have achieved at the moment, Kähkönen assured.
He thinks the past four years have been a short time to make a difference and he hopes that whoever continues his work will stay the same. In Kähkönen’s opinion, there must be a readiness for change and new impetus must be sought, but a clear philosophy and a line to work on and believe in will ease the situation.
– That now does not turn like a weather vane and switch in a completely different direction. Those things that have clearly paid off are dared to continue for the next four years, he hoped.
– I hope that I can be involved in helping Finnish biathlon to raise the level. But if that doesn’t happen, then maybe after four years, it’s good to take a breather, take a distance, and think about what to do next.