The state subsidies of the Olympic Committee and the Gymnastics Federation for 2023 were reduced due to neglect of the responsibility criteria. The subsidies received by the Fitnessliiito, Rugbyliiito and Tikkaeruhiltiito were also cut.
– Responsibility is a key part of the current grant criteria for organizations that promote physical activity. Sometimes omissions and mistakes occur, and then they must be addressed and corrective measures taken in cooperation with organizations, Minister of Science and Culture Petri Honkonen says in the bulletin. (you switch to another service)
200,000 euros were deducted from the Olympic Committee’s grant, because the Olympic Committee was guilty of neglecting the responsibility criteria of sports organizations, i.e. in this case, the principles of a safe operating environment and good governance.
However, this had no effect on the total amount of support, because due to the challenging situation of disabled sports, an increase of the same amount was presented to the Olympic Committee. 400,000 euros from the Olympic Committee’s grant amount will be directed to disabled sports.
The Finnish Paralympic Committee submitted its 2023 grant application late, and it was therefore not taken into consideration. The oblivion cost the union dearly, because last year the general grant it received was more than two million euros – i.e. more than half of the budget.
In total, the Olympic Committee’s support increased from last year, as this year the Olympic Committee was granted 6,790,000 euros. Last year, the amount was 6,590,000 euros.
– As regards the Olympic Committee, there had been omissions, but at the same time it was noted that large and clear corrective measures had already been taken, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Education and Culture Kari Niemi-Nikkola told.
Urheilu reported in March 2022 that the head of the Olympic Committee’s elite sports unit Mika Lehtimäki had received a warning for inappropriate behavior. Despite the warning, Lehtimäki was appointed to continue in his position until the end of 2024.
According to an external investigation, the Olympic Committee violated its own rules at the same time, as it did not follow the principles of openness, visibility and continuous dialogue in the selection process. Lehtimäki’s selection for the next term was confirmed by the presidium instead of the entire board.
The gymnastics association clearly lost its support
A total of 7.5 percent was deducted from the gymnastics association also due to negligence related to the responsibility criteria. Three percent of the reductions were due to neglecting the criterion of a healthy and safe operating environment and three percent of the criterion of equality and equal treatment.
In addition, 1.5 percent was deducted from the union for violating the good governance criterion, as the union’s measures to correct the situation were not sufficient. In total, the Gymnastics Federation received 1,545,000 euros in support.
– Regarding the gymnastics association, it was stated that discussions and clarifications had already been requested for several years. Although measures have been taken, it is still a more lengthy process, Chief Inspector Niemi-Nikkola stated.
Urheilu revealed in November that the former head coach of the national team From Laura Aho is suspected of years of improper activity.
The disciplinary committee of the gymnastics association imposed a disciplinary sanction on Ahonen in January. The athletes’ strict pace of weighing and monitoring their weight was considered inappropriate and inappropriate behavior. On the other hand, the disciplinary committee stated that weight management is part of rhythmic gymnastics and thus a permitted training method, at least in elite sports.
The fitness association lost its support completely
No operating grant was granted to the Finnish Fitness Association for the year 2023. The reason is the federation’s continuous doping violations.
According to the Sports Act, the ministry has the right to cancel eligibility for state aid if the association repeatedly fails to comply with the ethical principles of exercise and sports. By February 2023, the federation was asked to provide a written report on the number of doping violations and the federation’s measures to correct the situation.
The World Anti-Doping Agency Wada announced in October that the activities of the international fitness and bodybuilding sports organization IFBB do not comply with Wada’s doping standards.
According to Wada, exceptions have been found in the doping testing program implemented by the IFBB, and insufficient resources have been allocated to the development of the anti-doping program in accordance with the requirements.
The grants of the Finnish Rugby Union and the Finnish Tikka Sports Association were also reduced by three percent due to the lack of an environmental responsibility plan.
Extraordinary measures
Based on the responsibility criteria, aid cuts were made from five sports organizations. Kari Niemi-Nikkola admits that the solutions were exceptional.
– Responsibility issues have been considered in general grants for several years, but we have not used them concretely before. This makes it extraordinary that there were now an extraordinary number of alliances that we had to consider, Niemi-Nikkola stated.
According to Niemi-Nikkola, the ministry has thought about whether ethical issues should weigh even more heavily than at present in the distribution of support euros.
– The clear basic task of sport associations is to move the population. But responsible operating methods must also be followed, Niemi-Nikkola emphasized.
A total of 40,039,000 euros were granted in grants from the Ministry of Education and Culture. A total of 114 different organizations received grants.
Among the sports federations, the biggest grants went to the Finnish Football Federation (2,135,000 euros), the Finnish Ice Hockey Federation (1,607,000 euros) and the Finnish Gymnastics Federation (1,545,000 euros).