Jan Vapaavuori does not seek another term as chairman of the Olympic Committee. Olympic champion Tapio Korjus is still pledging his decision to run for office.
For almost four years as chairman of the Finnish Olympic Committee, he made an impact Jan Vapaavuori announced in the morning on the X service that he is not aiming for a further season. New presidential elections will be held in November.
Even before Vapaavuori’s decision, it was speculated whether the ex-javelin thrower would be Tapio Korjus interest in applying for the position of chairman. The 63-year-old Korjus sits on the board of the Olympic Committee.
Korjus, who won the Olympic gold in the javelin throw in Seoul in 1988, is also currently the principal of the Kuortanee sports college. He is also remembered as a winner of value competitions by Mikaela Ingberg as a coach.
Urheilu reported a couple of weeks ago that several member associations of the Olympic Committee would support Korju as the new chairman. He stated to Urheilu on Sunday that Vapaavuori’s decision does not affect whether or not he will apply to wash.
Korjus is still making his decision.
– There have been requests for that position for a long time. I have promised to consider it and I am still considering it. You have to make your own decision in the next few weeks, says Korjus.
According to Korjus, three factors influence the decision.
– The task has a challenging use of time. I have to think about my family as well. Thirdly, we need to see if I have the ability to be chairman when we start building a new future.
No complaints about Vapaavuori
According to Korjus, the board has not discussed who will apply for the next term.
– We have always focused on the current issues as issues, Korjus acknowledges.
Jan Vapaavuori has come under severe criticism, especially towards the end of his presidency. Earlier this week, a top sports executive Matti Heikkinen and director of sport and competition programs Leena Paavolainen received departure passes from their duties.
Read more: Strong criticism from the athletics boss to the leadership of the Olympic Committee regarding the starting passes
President of the Sports Association Riikka Pakarinen previously criticized the departure passes of top sports bosses for . In his opinion, the problems are much deeper than individual sports managers.
– If we take such a line that heads are dropped, then I personally feel that the responsibility lies expressly with the highest management, Pakarinen stated.
Korjus does not want to cast any kind of scapegoat role in Vapaavuori’s account.
– When talking about the board of the Olympic Committee, no one can do things alone, but they are done as a collective. The entire operational team affects how things are promoted and what kind of strategic choices are made.