Mika Lehtimäki:

Mika Lehtimäki admitted that he had received a warning about inappropriate behavior. PASSI FLAME

Head of the Olympic Sports Center of Excellence Mika Lehtimäki warning of inappropriate behavior in the workplace is upsetting sports circles. Yle reported on the incident on Thursday.

On Friday, the Olympic Committee provided more detailed information on the situation.

President of the Olympic Committee Mikko Salonen received a report of Lehtimäki’s misconduct at the end of September 2021. According to the organization, this started the process to find out.

– Several hearings and discussions have taken place to deal with the notification. As a result of the process, the matter has been agreed between the parties and a written warning has been given to Lehtimäki, the Olympic Committee informs.

After the investigation, Lehtimäki received a written warning from his employer on October 7, 2021. He himself has publicly admitted the case.

The warning procedure was approved by the Chairman of the Olympic Committee Jan Vapaavuoriand the Vice-Presidents were informed Susanna Rahkamoa and Sari Multalaa.

According to the Olympic Committee, the victims of the misconduct hoped that the process and its consequences would not be made public.

Following a written warning, the Olympic Committee announced in February that Lehtimäki’s contract as head of the Top Sports Unit would be extended.

With this information, the continuation of Lehtimäki in its wash has been secured. At the time of the decision, the Presidium of the Olympic Committee was of the opinion that Lehtimäki’s actions had been agreed between the parties and that a written warning had been a “legally possible consequence” of his actions.

– If the Olympic Committee becomes aware of additional relevant information which was not known to the Bureau at the time of the election, the Olympic Committee will launch a follow-up inquiry, the press release states.

According to the press release, the Olympic Committee “regrets the inconvenience that has occurred and the harm it has caused to the persons who have been subjected to inappropriate behavior, the staff of the Olympic Committee and the entire Finnish sports community”.

– The Olympic Committee will continue to operate in such a way that it guarantees a safe work community for its personnel, in which no improper use is allowed, says Jan Vapaavuori, Chairman.

“Insufficient statement of reasons”

The case of Lehtimäki has provoked a lot of discussion. For example, the Confederation of Women’s Organizations has taken a stand on Lehtimäki’s activities. Secretary – General Terhi Heinilä commented tightly on his Twitter account on Friday.

– Dominance at a high level in sport, responsible for preparing sports association grants and athlete grants. I consider this to be serious and the reasoning insufficient.

Heinilä has been notified by the Minister of Science and Culture Antti Kurvisen and the Minister for Nordic Co-operation and Equality Thomas Blomqvistin. The suite also has a theme for me too.

If the tweet is not visible, you can look its here.

The Confederation of Women’s Organizations is the umbrella organization for organizations promoting gender equality and women’s rights.

Heinilä has a master’s degree in physical education. He has also previously worked for the Finnish Sports and Sports Association and the Sports Science Society.

Follow – up agreement

Yle reports On Thursday, Lehtimäki received a warning last autumn about inappropriate behavior against women in the work community. Lehtimäki admitted the matter to Yle.

– That’s right. This has been the case last autumn. Under the direction of the employer, it has been duly investigated in the presence of all parties. The matter has been agreed and finalized, he commented.

The CEO of the Olympic Committee, Mikko Salonen, was silent about the details. According to him, the Olympic Committee has zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior.

– If we receive a report referring to these, it will be taken very seriously. Nothing is left unresolved and unexamined. The parties will be consulted carefully. Help is offered to all parties, Salonen comments to Yle.

Lehtimäki was elected to his wash in 2018. A few weeks ago, he received a contract extending until 2024.