Nora Lindahl applies for the transfer of the right of representation.
Nora Lindahl (right) wants to represent Finland in the future. Mika Kylmäniemi / AOP
Swedish sprinter Nora Lindahl21, has filed an application with the Finnish Sports Confederation (SUL) for the transfer of the right of representation. Lindahl wants to represent Finland in the future.
Lindahl was born in Finland, and her father is Finnish.
– My big dream has always been to compete in the Olympics and represent Finland and Sweden. Now, when I have competed for Sweden in my junior year, I feel that it is the right time to aim for success for Finland, Lindahl said in SUL’s press release.
Lindahl has won the under-20 European championship in 200 meters. From the same trip, he also has the European Championship bronze for under-23s.
Lindahl’s record for 100 meters is 11.50 and 22.88 for 200 meters. At the European Championships in Rome, he ran to the semi-finals in the 200 meters and to the collector’s race at the Paris Olympics. Last summer, he was seen in the preliminaries at the World Championship circuit in Tokyo.
The application is processed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (WA).
There are conditions attached to changing the country of representation. SUL has applied to WA to shorten the grace period. The grace period during the exchange is normally three years long.
– Of course, we hope that the grace period would be at least a little shorter and that Nora would be seen in a Finnish shirt as soon as possible. However, it requires that the basis of Finland’s application to WA to shorten the grace period from three years be accepted, top sports director Tuomo Salonen told.
It is likely that Lindahl will not run in the ranks of the Finnish national team, at least in next summer’s European Championships.