Matti Suur-Hamari is one of the best-known names in the Finnish Paralympic team.
Matti Suur-Hamari is one of Finland’s Paralympic hopes in Beijing. Pasi Liesimaa
The opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games will be held on Friday, March 4th.
The brightest star of the Finnish team is 35 years old Matti Suur-Hamariwith experience from the Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Parades.
Suur-Hamari is the 2018 gold medalist in snowboard cross and the bronze medalist in banked slalom.
Already at the Beijing Olympics in February, the raging conditions of the race spoke.
– The training and race days seem to be quite fresh. For once, the winter races are so cold and not damn warm. It doesn’t hurt, but let’s see how the wind affects, Greater Hamari says from Beijing.
Preparing
Snowboarders will be able to train on the track on Fridays and Saturdays. Greater Hamari is the most enthusiastic feeling.
He has had time to get to know the venue a bit, even though the race is in tight bubble conditions.
– Approximately the same track base as in the Olympic cross, with small changes it has been modified to suit us. Lubrication and keeping up the pace are of great importance. There is probably a suitable track for me, Suur-Hamari estimates.
The race trip has gone smoothly, although China is still very accurate with the coronavirus. According to Suur-Hamar, there have been no problems, although the operating methods differ from the Finns.
However, this has not come as a surprise, as the Games have been well prepared for.
– Someone could describe (procedures) as complicated, but surprisingly easily everything has gone according to plan.
News tracking
Matti Suur-Hamari ventilated this model in South Korea in 2018. ZUMAwire / MVphotos
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) on Wednesday announced a decision that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be allowed to compete under the Paralympic flag in Beijing. On Thursday, the decision was overturned. Athletes from Russia and Belarus do not compete at all.
The Finnish Paralympic Committee, together with other Nordic federations before the Paralympics, also called on the IPC not to allow Russian and Belarusian paralympians to compete in the Games due to the hostilities between Russia and Belarus.
– On the surface it is and everyone follows the news. The good news came when the entire Ukrainian team is apparently coming here, Greater Hamari commented on Beijing.
Greater Hamari says he is sad about what is happening in Ukraine. However, he does not want to give a personal view of the decisions.
– It is difficult for me to give an answer to who should get sports and who should be excluded. The body that makes the decisions has certainly thought about it from many angles until the end.
Expectations
Greater Hamari does not directly set itself a successful goal. He is delighted to be able to compete on the Paralympic stage again.
– I’m looking forward to a good and tough race. Nice to get snowboarding in Beijing. The goal is to get in the race with a good feeling. The results are then seen when the finish line is crossed.
He recommends following the expectations of the Finns.
– Everyone seems to have a good, positive mindset. Cross-country and alpine skiing is sure to be great.