Taina Susiluoto, CEO of the Finnish Olympic Committee, tells that on Thursday, the Olympic Committee has made a request for an explanation of the association’s operations to Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry.
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The sailing association announced on Wednesday that it had received an occupational health and safety notice in September, and that after the investigations it had ended up issuing a written warning. Vili Kaijansinko.
The occupational health and safety notice brought to light issues related to labor management and financial planning in Kaijansinko’s operations, which were not in accordance with the union’s values and guidelines.
The union’s press release did not reveal in more detail what it was all about. Chairman of the Federation Board of the Sailing Association Jan Jansson told on Wednesday that the investigation report must be kept secret.
CEO of the Finnish Olympic Committee Taina Susiluoto tells that the Olympic Committee has made an inquiry request to Suomen Purjehdus ja Veneily ry about the association’s activities.
Susiluoto says that he does not know more precisely what kind of activities the sailing association has been involved in or what the financial situation of the association is.
A year ago, sailing was selected as the first summer Olympic sport for the Olympic Committee’s top sports support program, and as a result of its selection, it received 340,000 euros in enhancement support for this year. Last year, sailing received an enhancement subsidy of 280,000 euros, so the subsidy has increased for this year. In total, sailing has been supported with almost one million euros, the support includes support from the Olympic Committee, support for enhancement and general assistance from the Ministry of Education.
– When it comes to top sports, which this year receives around 340,000 euros, it is important that it is managed in accordance with our responsibility program, says Susiluoto.
According to the responsibility program of the Olympic Committee, financial management and fundraising must be responsible. The Olympic Committee wants to know if the announcement of the sailing association is related to matters related to enhancement subsidies.
– If that is the case, we will find out in more detail how the enhancement subsidies have been used this year. We have asked for an explanation of what kind of follow-up action the union will take regarding these issues that have been mentioned in relation to behavior, management and financial management, Susiluoto states.
According to Susiluoto, the additional reports submitted by the sailing association will be processed in connection with the process of enhancing subsidies for top sports, where the subsidies for the coming year will also be evaluated. Based on that, we will see if there is a need for further measures.
Sailing is expected to be successful in the Olympic Games, but there are only two places (Kaarle Tapper ILCA in grade 7 and Sinem Kurtbay and Central axis in the Nacra 17 class), and the success in the World Championships and European Championships has been modest. Susuluoto hopes that the athletes will be able to focus on their own performances in peace.
– We will make sure that they have peace to prepare for Paris. These matters are handled in the process between the sports association and the Olympic Committee. It is important that there is a low threshold for reporting such things.
Before sailing, the support program for top sports has included para-athletics from summer sports and ice hockey and cross-country skiing from winter sports.