Niko Anttola is still not sure if he will be able to attend the president’s reception on Independence Day. This year, the Chancellery only sent invitations to those who were successful in the youth competitions.
HONEYMOON. The highlight of the World Championships in Planica, which were otherwise underwhelming for Finland, was the silver medal in the men’s 4×10 kilometer relay, which was sensationally anchored by a man who had just turned 20 Niko Anttola. He became the youngest Finnish men’s anchor ever.
The relay medal was Finland’s first men’s medal in prestigious competitions in 14 years.
The celebrations at the Presidential Palace organized on Independence Day have been attended, especially in recent years, by considerably fewer sporting merits than those who Cross mat Hakola, Iivo Niskanen, Perttu Hyvärinen and Niko Anttola hit the counter in Slovenia’s Planica on March 3.
“This is how it happened”
It just so happened that in the end, Niko Anttola was the only member of the relay quartet whose mail door slammed as a sign of invitation.
– Yes, it must have happened like this, Anttola admitted to Urheilu on Thursday while driving towards Kuusamo.
For Hakola and Hyvärinen, the Linna party would have been the first; Niskanen is already their veteran.
But this year, the presidential office decided to focus on the success of young people instead of the prize medal for adults.
The Finnish world champions received the invitation from the Whistler Junior World Championships. At the Games, Anttola won the 10 km (v) intermediate start and was second in the 20 km mass start.
In addition Jasmin Kinky and Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen won gold and got invited too. The fourth Finnish world champion of the Games was a hill jumper Vilho Palosaari.
Doesn’t break protocol
The invitation evaluation is done independently in the presidential office. Leaving a trio of messages uninvited doesn’t break any protocol, it does break common practice.
Anttola is still not sure if he will settle the suit on December 6. The time falls between Jällivaara and Östersund World Cup, so logistically a visit would be possible.
– I haven’t decided yet if I will go. If I go, I will most likely go alone, said a ski pledge living in Vuokatti.
Anttola was discharged from the army in Kajaani on September 28. The time in the army went well, but the final preparations for the competition season left much to be desired.
– There were some illnesses in October, says Anttola, who opened his season in Olos two weeks ago.
During the season, Anttola received excellent news from the partner front. His manager Aki Pajunoja sealed two major sponsorship deals.
– Being a professional athlete has been a dream. Now it is possible, for which I am very grateful.