MP calls for resignation of Olympic Committee leadership: “Secret Group”

Member of Parliament, former wrestler Olympic medalist Marko Asell (sd) criticizes the chairman of the board of the Finnish Olympic Committee and a long-time coalition politician Jan Free Mountain in great words.

Asell posted on Facebook Mika Lehtimäki in connection with a case of harassment. Lehtimäki resigned as head of the Olympic Committee’s top sports unit when inappropriate communication in October came to light.

Lehtimäki received a warning, but also received a follow-up contract.

– The actions of the management of the Olympic Committee forcibly create the impression that it has tried to press Mika Lehtimäki’s case of harassment with a fleece. Action has only been taken when public pressure has become too great. The credibility of the lead trio has been irreversibly lost with this case, Asell wrote.

In addition to Free Mountain, Asell referred to the Vice-Chairs of the Olympic Committee, who are Sari Multala (kok) and Susanna Rahkamo.

– It also seems that the long-standing misconduct in the Olympic Committee has been blessed by the Bureau. What may have felt like the victims of the harassment when Lehtimäki has been able to continue his activities while the management is smoothing out the events, Asell asked.

Responsibility

Member of Basic Finns, former bodybuilder Ritva “Kike” Elomaa He tells Iltalehti that he does not know all the facts about the Olympic Committee ‘s harassment cases, but emphasizes that there must be zero tolerance for all harassment and that management must always take responsibility.

– But I strongly believe that the media also has a huge responsibility, whatever the case. One can never be blamed with a heavy hand in advance, because if other truths are revealed later, the enormous damage has already been done to the people at the center of the matter.

Iltalehti asked Vapaavuori on Thursday if he was aware of any other cases of harassment within the Olympic Committee. Vapaavuori replied that he was aware of one case pending.

Vapaavuori was aware of this case even before Lehtimäki’s case became public.

PS Elomaa does not directly comment on the case of the Olympic Committee, but at a general level reflects on the culture of sports organizations.

– In sports circles, this happens, and they (Noises) are not born in vain. They need to be eradicated. It’s horrible if someone doesn’t dare open their mouths because of their own job. That should not be the case. It’s up to the work environment to be eradicated.

Asell demands a resignation

According to Aselli, the picture of Vapaavuori’s apologies at the press conference was transmitted in white. An MP from the Social Democrats described the performance of Vapaavuori from the Coalition Background as “skilled”.

– He apologized and apologized for everything possible, admitted the long litany of mistakes he had made, but still did not resign. Many others would have already drawn conclusions from the situation.

Vapaavuori said that he still enjoys sufficient confidence in his leadership role at the Olympic Committee. Aselli thinks it would be a place for ventilation now.

– The Vice-Presidents should also have resigned. They were part of a secret group that no one remembered that Lehtimäki could not continue in his mission, Asell continued.

Zero tolerance

The best triathlete of all time in Finland Pauli Kiuru (kok) carries the same party book as Vapaavuori.

He does not take a position on whether Vapaavuori and other Coalition presidencies should Sari Multalan and Susanna Rahkamon differ.

– Hard to say when I’m relying on press information. The decision-making process, of course, leaves few questions and has been deficient. But as Vapaavuori said, mistakes happen – who doesn’t make mistakes, Kiuru says.

He underlines that management, like management, must intervene in harassment.

– Much has progressed since the 1960s and 1980s. Hat-lifting for those who have gotten into trouble. Fear is the worst enemy, so I encourage everyone to intervene. It is then up to management to take things seriously, Kiuru says.

– There must be zero tolerance for interference. Just like in racism. Once racism on the ground has been tackled with a hard edge, bans on competition and other sanctions have been imposed, the next one is sure to think before he says he will continue.

The Master of Philosophy, who has been a Member of Parliament since 2011, recalls that every case must be thoroughly investigated.

– The message may be incorrect and the report unfounded. Fake statements are also made in child protection.

Elomaa: “I wouldn’t hit full”

PS Elomaa comments to Iltalehti that there is a good point in Aselli’s writing in the sense that there are often small circles in the decision-making bodies of sport.

– But there are also political connections in sports circles and elsewhere that it is easy for an opponent to criticize if someone gets caught somewhere.

The criticism is sometimes huge and the public debate is heated. Elomaa condemns all forms of harassment, but does not like how often the debate is conducted and how violent it becomes, even if many things are uncertain.

– Let’s hit when someone is caught, whether it’s a small or a big deal. I don’t know if Asell knows more, but at least I wouldn’t hit full, Elomaa says.

Not everything is yet known about the harassment of the Olympic Committee, but it is clear that a lot of mistakes have been made. Next, the Olympic Committee intends to request a report from the Finnish Sports Ethics Center or another external actor.