Runner Katriina Wright, who unexpectedly became Finland’s representative, reflects the future of Finnish athletics and the need to change conservative ideas, writes Riku Isokoski.
Finnish athletics people rubbed their eyes on Tuesday, when the Sports Federation announced that the 400-meter runner living in the United States, Katriina Wright, had chosen to represent Finland in the honors.
There is only a little “real” Finnishness in Wright, because he does not speak Finnish and, according to the Sports Association’s head of coaching Jarkko Finn, he may never even have been to Finland.
– I think he has never been to Finland. I’m not absolutely sure. The father’s family roots are in Eastern Finland, but he has no close relatives in Finland at the moment, Finni told Iltalehte.
Does an athlete representing Finland even need to be a “normal Finn” in any way or to even be able to speak Finnish? Not really, especially nowadays.
In fact, Wright still cheers up the rather strongly conservative Finnish sport. We need more athletes like him who come from outside the country.
In Finland, athletics – and especially running sports – have had a special position as a booster of national self-esteem for more than a hundred years.
Paavo Nurmi is undoubtedly the most successful Finnish athlete and Lasse Viré is the greatest sports hero of Finns over 50. Their importance is undeniable, but so is Wright’s.
Significance in sports is no longer measured only by success, but, among other things, changing attitudes and appreciating differences play a very important role today. In this view, Wright is certainly more important than Finland’s biggest legends.
Wright is also strongly present on social media, like many other Finnish athletes of his age group. He brings out his personality strongly, among other things on Instagram and On TikTokwhere he has over 84,000 followers.
Hiding one’s personality is no longer the frowned upon thing it once was.
Skater Lizzie Armanto was already a refreshing breath of fresh air in the Tokyo Olympic team, but her sport does not inspire traditional values any more – of course, some naysayers think that the whole sport should not have been accepted for the Olympics.
Wright, on the other hand, in a very traditional sport, is strongly changing the way of thinking among the sports people – especially if he is still successful.
As Finnish society continues to become more diverse, athletes will also increasingly deviate from the myth of the white-skinned, patriotic and modest Finn.
It may very well be possible that sometime in the future, a runner of African descent will restore the medal base of Finnish endurance running in prestigious competitions.
You should adapt to change, because it is inevitable.