All Finnish medals came from cross-country sand and hockey. In the combined and snowboarding, points were reached. According to Mika Lehtimäki, the number of young people engaged in competitive sports should be increased so that they can continue to be successful.
Director of the Finnish Olympic Committee’s top sports unit Mika Lehtimäki the smile was delicate after Sunday’s medal day. Finland received two medals on the closing day of the Beijing Olympics, when the Lions took Olympic gold and Kerttu Niskanen Olympic bronze in the women’s 30 kilometers.
– I’m extremely proud of the whole team. This finer decision could not have come. Men’s hockey gold is extremely valued in Finland and behind hard work. At one time, a large number of more were brought to the Olympic winners’ club, Lehtimäki was in the mood for Sports on the closing day of the Games.
Finland won a total of eight medals, two gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Finland was 16th in the medal table of the competition. Norway was again in a class of its own in Beijing. It won a total of 37 medals, of which 16 were gold. Germany, which dominated sledding in particular, was second on the medal table with 27 medals (12 gold). Third was host country China, which received 15 medals and nine gold. Sweden was fifth in the medal table with 18 medals.
Six of Finland’s medals came from cross-country skiing and two from hockey. For example, in addition to cross-country skiing, Sweden won medals in biathlon, slalom, curling, freestyle and speed skating. Lehtimäki admits that Finland’s international lead is narrow. However, he recalls, medals could have come in other sports as well.
– We were in the snowboarding and combined snowboarding. There we might have had small medal expectations. We knew in advance that we have seams in four types.
– Now we succeeded with a big sieve, but we had a dichotomy in the team, because several athletes fell short of their own level.
For example, in a combined top fight Ilkka Herola remained sixth in the normal hill race. He was 16th in the Suurmäki race. Enni Rukajärvi was seventh in the women’s snowboard slopestyle. In Big Air, he was eliminated from the final. Rene Rinnekangas was eliminated in snowboarding slopestyle and big air.
– For example, in Herola, Rinnekangas and biathlete Tero in Seppälä is still an excellent seam to succeed in four years in Cortina.
Iivo and Kerttu Niskanen had the main responsibility for the Finnish medals in Beijing. They brought four of Finland’s six cross-country skiing medals. Iivo won gold in the men’s 15 kilometers and bronze in the combined race. Kerttu won silver in the women’s 10 kilometers and bronze in the 30 kilometers. In addition, Iivo won Joni Mäki with a pair of silver. According to Lehtimäki, Niskaste’s dominance is not entirely exceptional compared to other countries.
– For example, in the Norwegian team Marte Röiseland and Johannes Thingnes Bö biathlon as well Therese Johaug and Johannes Hösflot Kläbo are also responsible for quite a number of medals on their team. The team needs superstars and luckily we have them. Of course, in the future we need more breadth for success.
What success for the next Olympics?
According to Lehtimäki, after the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018, there was the same concern about how to succeed in the next Games when the medals were left to a few individuals.
– We have been able to respond reasonably well and I believe that four years of growth will be enough for our future generation.
According to Lehtimäki, the right choices have been made in Finnish medal sports. In hockey, Finland is able to recognize the international level and implement it in the domestic training system. The Vuokatti and Ruka Olympic Coaching Center plays a significant role in cross-country skiing. The road to success requires concentrating resources, Lehtimäki says.
– We have reasonably small resources internationally and a limited amount of world excellence. We need to get the best coaches to coach the best athletes in good conditions, with good expert services. At the individual level, there may be other types of paths.
Lehtimäki is concerned about the number of enthusiasts and the small number of children who enjoy a variety of sports. 109 species competed in Beijing. Finland did not have a representative in 58 species.
– Quite a lot of us completely lack a species culture. Short track, sledding or a large number of slopes with a huge number of medals in the distribution.
For example, there would be enough trays suitable for a short track in Finland, but there is a lack of equipment, coaching skills and sporting traditions. Creating a species culture from scratch is tricky.
Lehtinen says that more school cooperation and sport experiments are needed for success. In addition, there should be more enthusiasts in competitive sports for 14-18 year olds.
Lehtinen’s term in the leadership of the Olympic Committee’s top sports unit will be interrupted in June. He has not yet, in his own words, thought of a continuation.