Janne Marvaila, executive director of the Lahti Ski Association, states that the late ski champion Siiri “Äitee” Rantanen’s importance to Finnish skiing was great.
Siiri Rantanen was photographed at the World Ski Championships in Lahti in 2017. Pasi Liesimaa
Executive director of the Lahti Ski Club Janne Marvaila says that Siiri “Äitee” Rantanen’s importance to Finnish skiing was great.
– It was especially big for women’s sports, he specifies.
Rantanen represented the Lahti Ski Association in the best years of his career. The club also involves one of the most special twists in Rantanen’s sports career. He was expelled from the club when, at the request of other skiers, he refused to ski the relay at the 1962 SC skiing.
Rantanen later forgave the matter, and even the Lahti Ski Association does not look back on what happened more than 60 years ago.
Janne Marvaila says that in the near future he will invite the people of the club to think about how to remember the Olympic champion and his life’s work.
– We will certainly remember, but I can’t say how yet.
Marvaila says that she is grateful that she got to know Rantase. He describes the late ski champion as always a happy person who got along with everyone.
The last time Marvaila met Rantanen was in the winter.
– I went to see him at the service home where he lived. Although his age showed, he was still his sunny self.
Rantanen’s death was reported on Friday. He was 98 years old when he died.