Jan Vapaavuori, Chairman of the Olympic Committee, says that he was not a representative of the employer. He is behind the decision of the Olympic Committee to continue to wash Mika Lehtimäki.
Sports reported on Thursday that the head of the Olympic Committee’s top sports unit Mika Lehtimäki has received a warning last autumn about inappropriate behavior against women in the work community.
Lehtimäki admitted the case and said he had changed his behavior.
– That’s right. This has been the case last autumn. Under the direction of the employer, it has been duly investigated in the presence of all parties. The matter has been agreed and finalized, Lehtimäki comments.
At the beginning of March, the Board of the Olympic Committee appointed Lehtimäki to continue in his position as head of the top sports unit until 2024. The agreement includes an option to extend the employment until the summer of 2026.
The position of head of the top sports unit was not in the public search this time. In 2018, Lehtimäki was selected for the top spot in Finnish sports from almost 50 applicants.
President of the Olympic Committee Mikko Salonen did not open the Lehtimäki case in more detail, but he said the Olympic Committee took serious misconduct seriously.
Chairman of the Olympic Committee Jan Vapaavuori says the same.
– We have consulted, among other things, the lawyers of the employers’ association and they have been of the opinion that, although the person concerned has admitted the matter, it is not appropriate to comment on employment issues on behalf of the employer. At a general level, of course, we take all cases and suspicions of harassment very seriously. If any are found, they will be carefully reviewed. This has been done in the Olympic Committee, says Vapaavuori.
The Board of the Olympic Committee appointed Lehtimäki to continue in the position without an open application. Was the inappropriate behavior known when the selection was made?
– All relevant factors were taken into account when making the selection, above all Mika Lehtimäki’s very successful and deserving work as the head of the top sports unit, which has clearly taken Finnish top sports forward. We were aware of these factors in the Bureau of the Olympic Committee and were assessed as part of the overall assessment. However, we concluded that, given all the factors, he could be reappointed.
When the wash in 2018 was last open, there was an open search and widespread interest in the job. How was it decided not to hold an open search now, but to choose Lehtimäki directly to continue?
– It was discussed among the entire board and it was stated that Lehtimäki’s merits are so indisputable. This was not about choosing a new person, but about continuing to wash a person who has already done a good job. There was no reason to put the wash back in the search, but it was seen that Lehtimäki would have been selected and did well in any case.
How was this matter about which Lehtimäki received a warning handled with him and Were you involved in these discussions?
– I myself have not been involved in the discussions. In other respects, the CEO will comment as far as it is possible to comment, taking into account that matters related to the employment relationship between the employer and the employee should not be allowed to comment under our legislation.
From this it can be concluded that you will have full credit to Mika Lehtimäki in the future. How else do you comment on this?
– As stated, I, as a representative of the employer, have not been involved in discussions on the subject, but I have been aware of it. There has also been another presidency of the Olympic Committee. When the decision has been made with this consideration, of course they stand behind it and Lehtimäki enjoys my trust, Vapaavuori decides.
The Olympic Committee’s Top Sports Unit manages and coordinates Finnish top sports in co-operation with, among others, sports federations and the Ministry. The subsidies received by associations and athletes for top sports are based on the preparatory work and selections of the unit led by Lehtimäki. For example, the Center of Excellence makes presentations about the recipients of athlete grants. Grants are awarded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
Lehtimäki, 55, has previously worked in the top sports unit as a top-level program director and sports group manager. In addition, he has worked in football and hockey coaching positions in 2005–2012 and in various coaching positions in the Finnish Sports Association in 1990–2005. For a long time, Lehtimäki also worked as ‘s athletics expert.