People in protective clothing were part of the street scene of the Olympics. PASSI FLAME
I remember the Beijing Olympics, the first five-ring race of my life as an event of tremendous contrasts.
Chinese discipline struck his face right at the airport. There were people on everywhere in the protective suits.
Because of the language barrier, everything seemed confusing. Forms were filled out, tests were given.
The bus stopped for no reason.
Still, things went well.
I remember looking many times at a bus stop a few hundred meters behind a heavy metal fence that surrounded our hotel.
Due to corona restrictions, the minimum distance was taken by bus.
Everyday life was theater. I witnessed the volunteers disinfecting the sides of the bus, the posts and walls of the queuing ropes.
In the middle of the race, the work clothes of our hotel restaurant workers changed from hoodies to protective suits.
As if China wanted to shout better than others.
Iivo Niskanen’s eight-year wait ended with his liberating 15-kilometer Olympic gold. PASSI FLAME
I remember how the chastening face eventually melted into a smile.
The volunteers relaxed. I was even asked at the corona test station to shyly giggle at the collective pictures.
Then the coroner theater gave way, and a real man was seen on the farm.
Happy, service minded and even excited. It was a huge contrast to the screaming hat-tricks at the airport.
The volunteers asked for joint photos and were interested in Finland. PASSI FLAME
I remember how the stone face broke in the stadiums as well.
Sometimes silent Iivo Niskanen and evasive of interviews Alexander Bolshunov were released.
Niskanen bounced flat-legged and smiled broadly after receiving 15 miles of gold around his neck.
He was relieved. After eight years of waiting, the conversation rushed to Bolshunov, even to start a family.
The Russian star, for his part, joked to the media after the final race. The skier, who kept his feelings to himself, thanked his wife profusely and agreed to take questions in English.
It was great to prove the full translation.
Aleksandr Bolshunov grabbed the final leg of the Russian Ski Association, Yelena Välbe, after a golden break in a long hug. PASSI FLAME
I also remember how the weather was breaking for athletes.
The wind in Zhangjiakou was the hardest I have ever experienced. On the last day of the race, the adults faltered and meant to fall in the worst gusts.
It was difficult to keep my eyes open during the interviews. If it succeeded, the eyes of both the reporter and the athlete ran out of water.
The frost penetrated the bones and cores, even though three pants and four shirts were put on and down.
In contrast, the view shone bright every day in the sun.
Reporters were waiting for athletes to be interviewed outdoors. The wind was strong. PASSI FLAME
I remember how amazement and joy floated in the air on the last day of the race.
In recent years, the number of medals in Finland has had to be competed, but now there have been eight medals.
Three more than predicted.
There was disbelief on the faces of the athletes, but also of the journalists and coaches. The race went well despite all the Corona anxiety and uncertainty.
Absolutely brilliant.