Siiri Rantanen was a pioneer, whom today’s athletes can thank, writes Anni Saarela.
Siiri Rantanen still skied in front of the public at the World Championships in Lahti 2017. Pasi Liesimaa
A mother of two who won eight race medals.
The performance itself is great. The hat rises even higher when you realize that it was made in the 1950s and 1960s.
Siiri “Äitee” Rantanen’s importance to Finnish women’s sports was enormous.
Of course, it’s not that a woman or a mother can’t play sports successfully. In the 1950s, the situation was completely different from now.
Rantanen was on the track when women’s cross-country skiing was accepted for the Winter Olympics for the first time in 1952. Men made it to the Olympic track 28 years earlier.
“Aitee” tirelessly demanded better conditions for women. The success showed that women’s sports must be taken seriously.
Siiri Rantanen was about to win the relay Olympic gold in 1956. Finnish Sports Museum
Rantanen followed skiing actively his whole life. I think looking at the current situation put a smile on the face of a well-regarded person.
Skiing has become a truly egalitarian sport. Both women’s and men’s competition events are televised all over the world. Superstars are not only men.
In Finland, anyone can receive the largest possible grant. The companies of Krista Pärmäkoski and Kerttu Niskanen guarantee strong results.
The international skiing federation Fis, on the other hand, listened to the appeal of Swedish and Norwegian skiers. Men and women ski the same distances in the World Cup.
Rantanen visited Nelästi Linna’s party. Jenni Gästgivar
Today, a female skier would hardly get a nickname based on her motherhood. The world is still not ready.
Female athletes are still struggling in the crossfire of starting a family and elite sports. However, Rantanen ensured with his actions that things were better in future generations.
It is a good example to follow.
