The Finnish team traveling to the Paralympics in Paris has experience and success.
Finland has a team of 16 athletes competing in six different sports at the Paris Paralympics. The size of the team is the same as in the Tokyo Olympics, but this time there are two more track and field athletes and there is not a single swimmer in the team.
– We got a slightly smaller number of athletes to Paris than expected, but there is no reason to compromise on the result goal of six medals, Finnish team leader Kimmo Mustonen comment on the website of the Paralympic Committee.
The goal of six medals is made up of the goal set for this Paralympics by the Elite Sports unit under the Olympic Committee. From the Beijing Winter Games and the Paris Summer Games, it is a total of 10 medals and 15 points.
Finland achieved four medals and two points in Beijing, leaving six medals and 13 points to aim for in Paris. Finland got five medals and eight points from the Tokyo Paralympics.
Tokyo medalists, Leo-Pekka Tähti, Toni Piispanen, Amanda Kotaja and Marjaana Heikkinenare also in the team this time. Tähti, who is going to his sixth Paralympics, has said that he will end his extensive racing career in Paris.
Three years ago, the Finnish team also included a curler Henry Mannishooter Jarkko Myllyarcher Jer Forsberga cyclist Prank Kneehorseman Katja Karjalainen and a table tennis player Only Tapola. Also Jean-Pierre Antonios is an experienced paralympian, although he missed Tokyo.
The Finnish team at the Paris Paralympics
Jonna Aaltonen, riding (school riding, group V)
Jean-Pierre Antonios, archery (bow, W1)
Vilma Berg, athletics (T38, length and 400m)
Jere Forsberg, archery (open bow)
Marjaana Heikkinen, athletics (javelin throw, F34)
Laura Kangasniemi, riding (school riding, group V)
Katja Karjalainen, riding (school riding, group I)
Amanda Kotaja, athletics (track winding, T54)
Teijo Kööpikkä, athletics (shot put, F57)
Iida Lounela, athletics (long jump and 100 m, T12)
Henry Manni, athletics (track winding, T34)
Jarkko Mylly, shooting sports (SH1 class, miniature rifle R6 and air rifle R3)
Toni Piispanen, athletics (track winding, T51)
Teppo Polvi, cycling (handcycling, H1)
Aino Tapola, table tennis (class 1)
Leo-Pekka Tähti, athletics (track winding, T54)
Source: Paralympic Committee