Santtu Silvennoinen
Viivi Lehikoinen, Heta Tuuri and possibly Oliver Helander should be fined according to the contract for withdrawing from the match against Sweden, writes Santtu Silvennoinen.
Viivi Lehikoinen will miss the match against Sweden. PASI LEISMA
The 400-meter hurdler Viivi Lehikoinen and the high jumper Heta Tuuri, who miss the match against Sweden at the weekend because of the Chinese Diamond League, blatantly violate the sports association’s contract.
So will javelin thrower Oliver Helander, if he misses the legendary national match.
“An acceptable reason for absence is only an illness or injury proven by a medical certificate, as a result of which the athlete is not able to compete at the same time, and during the week (7 days) after the competition in question”reads the contract.
The clause is entered in the contract section: “Acceptable absence from national team duties or the Kaleva Games”.
Heta Tuuri is also sidelined from Finnkampeni. PASI LEISMA
From an athlete’s point of view, it is understandable to compete at the highest possible level. Helander and Lehikoinen collect points to open up a place for future competitions and above all for the coveted Diamond League final in Eugene in mid-September.
In July, Helander missed the Monaco Diamond League, and with that, without taking the diamond series points, so that he could at the same time compete in the Mikkeli event organized by his managers Juha and Jarno Lindblom.
For Tuuri, the Diamond League might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. China lacks a significant part of the top athletes in various sports, so the participation places were quite cheap compared to, for example, Thursday’s diamond event in Zurich.
The management of the sports association has given tacit approval to the activities of Lehikoinen and Tuuri. A somewhat similar incident occurred two years ago, when long jumper Kristian Pulli missed the national competition due to a love vacation.
The arrogance of the teammates and the earthworm-like spine of the leaders of the Sports Association irritate the Finns competing in Stockholm’s Olympic Stadium. Iltalehti talked to a few famous Finnish athletes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Everyone was shocked by the arrogance of the soloists and the flattery of the leaders.
One athlete said that Topi Raitanen was almost forced to run in the European team championships in June, but now two women can opt out of the Sweden match with their own notice.
Lehikoinen’s actions, in particular, slip the meters of some teammates into the red. He likes to appear in public when something similar to a problem hits his ankle.
Oliver Helander’s participation in the javelin race against Sweden on Sunday is still open. PASI LEISMA
If the Sports Confederation followed the penalty clause mentioned in the athlete contract, the gig in China would be expensive for Lehikoinen and Tuuri.
In the section “Consequences of neglect of obligations” in the agreement, there is a mention of sanctions: “A breach will automatically result in a contractual fine, the greater of which is: 50 percent of the amount of coaching support according to this agreement or 5,000 euros”.
What is the use of the whole agreement if it is not followed?
Riikka Pakarinen is the president of the Sports Association. PASI LEISMA
Harri Aalto is the CEO of the Sports Association. ATTE KAJOVA
Jarkko Finni is the director of coaching and training at the Sports Confederation. Santtu Silvennoinen
Jani Tanskanen is the sports director of the Sports Association. Her international title is general manager. PASI LEISMA