Bad air in Finland’s cross-country skiing World Cup team. Because the association cannot offer him the opportunities he would have wished for, three-time Olympic champion Iivo Niskanen decided not to prepare with his teammates. Other members would like to follow him, but cannot afford to go it alone.
The Finnish Cross-Country Federation is in a serious crisis. Money is missing everywhere. The consequences are particularly serious for athletes and coaches. The winter sports nation will only be holding two short training camps outside of Finland this year. In addition, there is a risk of further cuts that could have a negative impact on sporting success.
Superstar Iivo Niskanen has already drawn consequences from the status quo and said goodbye to the national team for the preparation period. A step that made waves in Finland, but in his eyes there was simply no alternative.
“When I saw the training plan, I didn’t even have to think. I’ve been thinking about a solution like this for the last few years, but now I find that finding my own solutions is absolutely necessary to be able to , to be successful next season”, Niskanen complained to the Finnish radio station “Yle” about the program that the Finnish federation offers its athletes this year.
Situation in Finland’s cross-country team ‘worrying’
The fact that the association did not communicate its financial problems earlier annoys the three-time Olympic champion. “It was a big surprise that the situation is so worrying,” said Niskanen, who said he was making a “big investment” to go it alone, but simply had no other choice. “It had to be so that I could ensure my competitiveness.”
The Finnish association was not surprised at his solo effort, the 31-year-old reported: “The others are not happy with the situation either.” Unlike him, however, his teammates lack the means to train on their own.