After the scandal at the Olympics
Fired ski coach defends himself against alcohol allegations
April 23, 2026 – 12:06 p.mReading time: 1 min.
A scandal at the Winter Olympics costs Igor Medved his job. Now he is taking a stand on further allegations.
Igor Medved was caught under the influence of alcohol during the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina. The Finnish association initially suspended the then ski jumping coach, but later they separated. In an interview with the sports newspaper “Ekipa”, the Slovenian commented in detail about the incident.
“I made a mistake for which I apologized. It didn’t happen during my working hours and I didn’t harm anyone,” Medved said. “Whether the Finnish association’s decision was too harsh or not is their judgment. Of course I’m sorry that it came to this.”
Medved assessed the dismissal itself as less dramatic. With regard to his contract, which was already expiring, he explained: “I wouldn’t have continued at any price.” An extension was only an option for him under certain conditions.
Meanwhile, reports of further alleged alcohol-related incidents are causing anger among Slovenians. “Unfortunately, I have read a lot of things about myself that are not true,” Medved clarified. “But I’d rather not talk about it anymore.”
According to his own statement, he has now closed the Finland chapter, so he is looking ahead: “I have two healthy arms and legs and my head is in the right place. So I will be able to find my place. There have been some discussions, but nothing is on the last legs,” said Medved about his future. He also emphasized: “I can still do something else in my life other than training as a ski jumper.”
