Joni Mäki: Olympic medal and overthrow of Russia

On Thursday, Mäki slipped the first Olympic medal of his career around his neck. PASSI FLAME

– Last year, a couple of times came to Russia. I think I’m still a tagged man, Joni Mäki shake.

Hill and Iivo Niskanen skied Olympic silver for Finland on Wednesday. The hill skied on the anchor section with Norway and Russia, but in the end squeezed the Russian Alexander Terentevin past.

Iltalehti expert Reijo Jylhä believed after the race that opponents did not take Mäki ‘s striking ability seriously.

– Joni’s part did not try to ski so hard that Joni would have run away. Tactically, it went really well from Finland’s point of view, when others didn’t like Jon.

Last year, Mäki beat Russia in the final round of the World Championships and in the men’s message at the Lahti World Cup.

Now he rejoices in the Olympic silver.

– If it was an advantage (underestimation), then it is not. I didn’t experience that. I went along well. The guys gave way when they needed to.

Finland was also underestimated from Norway. Olympic winner Johannes Kläbon in the opinion of Niskanen and Alexander Bolshunov were not as tough in the second to last leg as Norway Erik Valnes.

– I saw Erik in his last round. Iivo and Bolshunov looked like little boys, he did ivaili to VG.

Niskane has a receipt ready.

– We also have to start jogging to make it to Valnes, he laughs.

“Did I believe in myself”

For Mäki, silver silver was the first Olympic medal of his career. A day after the competition, the Finnish skier seemed to be embarrassed at the prize-giving ceremony.

– The Olympic medal is an Olympic medal. It was my dream. I didn’t know if I even thought I would get it at my first Olympics. The tough guy came next and made it possible. This is a tough thing.

According to Mäki, he had little speculation about the pair with Niskanen in advance. The Olympic winner tore an 8.4-second neck to the anchor for four seconds.

The medal was in a fork.

– Exchanges and tactics came naturally. I watch the race in Finland at home a few times. That’s pretty good the retinas are.

Mäki thanks his coach especially for the medal Juho Halosta. In December, he created a plan to help a Finnish skier recover from the flu to Olympic fitness.

– He has believed in me, even though it has been difficult at times. My career has not been as uplifting. He has found good things in the midst of hard times. He is a big cornerstone in what I do.

In the fall, in good time before the start of the season, Mäki shook his goal with a medal from the Beijing Olympics. That’s when the argument sounded wild.

Once the promise is fulfilled, the idea arises: what is the next goal?

– After the season, I have to sit with the coach by the fireplace, take a moment and remember through it. Let’s take the good things and try to heal the bad, Mäki smiles.