Santeri Kiiveri, who achieved paralympic gold, had a career at stake a few years ago due to health problems.
Para-alpine skier Santeri Kiiverin at home in Lappeenranta this week there has been cause for joy.
Kiiver’s mother reached by phone Marita Stam says he watched Kiiveri ‘s fall on Thursday excitedly.
– Yes, it felt great when the victory came. They started to pick up medals at the competition, but now there have been two of them. It feels pretty incredibly great, Stam says.
The silver Stam says he squatted with Kiiver’s brother. The time of the Golden Feast is not quite yet.
– We’re celebrating when Santeri comes home.
Behind serious health problems
Stam’s success in the Paralympics also feels particularly great because of the serious health concerns that Kiiveri faced a few years ago.
– That’s why this feels great when there have been adversities. The long work was rewarded now, Stam says.
In the video below, Santeri Kiiveri talks about overcoming health problems: “I meant to die on the slope”.
Persevering and competitive
As a child, the helmet ended up in alpine skiing with his father Olli Kiiverin through the youth skiing hobby.
– He took the boys to a course at a local ski club. Through that, they got excited and went to track landing school. That’s where they started counting in the regional competitions, Marita Stam says.
Stam ponders for a moment the answer to the question that has made Santeri Kiiver stay and succeed in the sport.
– He has been tenacious and competitive since he was a little boy.
As a child, Kiiveri competed with the disabled.
– He didn’t give up. He did not allow his injury to be disturbed. It must have begun to fuel the desire to succeed, Stam ponders.