These Finnish athletes are expected to succeed in Paris – the ministry awarded the largest grant to 20 athletes | Sport

This year, 20 Finnish athletes received the largest grant of 20,000 euros. In total, scholarships were awarded to 169 athletes in summer sports.

Finland’s Minister of Sports, Sports and Youth Sandra Bergqvist has awarded athlete grants to 169 athletes in summer sports. The Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM) distributed coaching and training grants for a total of 1.5 million euros. Most grants were awarded to track and field athletes.

This year, 20 athletes received the largest grant of 20,000 euros. A year ago, there were 21 recipients of the largest grant.

– In the Olympic and Paralympic years, coaching and training grants are especially important for athletes preparing for the Games. We also have to invest in the future, and that is why the number of scholarships for young athletes has been increased, says Bergqvist in OKM’s press release.

Last year’s successful shooters made it to the list of athletes who received 20,000 euros Aleksi Leppäjudoka Martti Puumalainen and a walker Brother Matti Partanen, who received 10,000 euros last year. Achieved bronze at the World Championships in the parachuting last summer Teijo Köpikkä has not received an athlete grant at all in recent years, but now rose directly to the largest grant.

Of last year’s 20,000-euro grant recipients, a trapeze gymnast fell to the 10,000-euro grant Emil Soravuoa triple jumper Senni Salminen and a mortar thrower Krista Tervo.

Tax-free grants are not awarded to athletes whose taxable income or competition fees exceed 80,000 euros. The top sports unit of the Olympic Committee makes a presentation of the scholarship recipients to the ministry.