Petri Honkonen, the minister of science and culture responsible for sports, wants to get a report from the Finnish Gymnastics Federation as soon as possible.
Anu Karttunen,
Heikki Ali-Hokka
Urheilu reported last week that the former head coach of the Finnish rhythmic gymnastics national team From Laura Aho and another coach of the national team is suspected of years of improper activity. Several former national team athletes told Urheilu about their constant weight loss and serious health problems.
Read more: The former head coach of the Finnish national team is suspected of years of improper activity – gymnasts report constant dieting and eating disorders
Minister of Science and Culture responsible for sports Petri Honkonen (central) took a firm stand on the matter and said that the ministry has asked the Gymnastics Federation for an explanation.
– I am quite shocked by this news and this information. The task of society and adults is to protect children from this kind of activity. This cannot be accepted under any circumstances, Honkonen said.
According to Honkonen, it is clear that a certain kind of discipline is part of the sport, but the inappropriate behavior that emerged in the rhythmic gymnastics national team has not been acceptable.
– Especially when it is related to growing, developing children and young people. This is completely unacceptable.
The parents of a gymnast contacted the Ministry and the Gymnastics Association about the matter already in 2018. The Ministry held a meeting with the management of the Gymnastics Association, and the association promised to fix the coaching processes. The Gymnastics Federation started a disciplinary procedure regarding the activities of the coaches, which has lasted almost a year.
According to Minister Honkonen, this cannot happen again in the future.
– I have not got yet [Voimisteluliiton] clarification, but it is clear that these processes must be much faster. Of course, I expect measures from the sports association to put an end to this kind of activity.
When do you expect an answer from the Gymnastics Association?
– As soon as possible.
Rhythmic gymnastics is a strongly supported sport. Director General of the Youth and Sports Policy Department of the Ministry of Education and Culture Esko Beach commented to Urheilu a week ago that the case may affect the state support received by the Finnish Gymnastics Federation. Minister Honkonen did not take a position on the subsidy money.
– I do not take a position on what kind of measures or proposed measures will possibly be presented.
Honkonen reminds that the process has already started in the previous government term, but he only heard about the case a short time ago. He does not speculate on whether the matter should have come to the attention of the minister earlier.
– But as I said, this process has taken far too long.