Yle spoiled Inka’s, 42, party in Linna: “They were silent”

Inka-Johanna Kolhinoja got an invitation to Linna’s party. Inka-Johanna Kolhinoja’s home album

Inka-Johanna Kolhinoja was one of the Finnish sports heroes of this year’s Linna celebrations.

However, the man from Vantaa, who swam two valuable race medals from this year’s summer world championships for the mentally disabled, was just one invited guest among others.

To Kolhinoja’s great disappointment, it was not enough that the media did not bring him and his achievements to the attention of the general public. The media silence also continued in the telecast of Linna’s celebrations.

When it’s Kolhinoja’s turn to shake hands with the President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and Ph.D Jenni Haukiota came, there was silence on Yle’s broadcast.

In other words, Kolhinoja fell into the small group whose names and achievements were not told to the whole nation.

You can check the silence of the newsroom from the recording uploaded to Yle Areena. Kolhinoja’s handshake turn in 33:07.

Kolhinoja was deeply hurt by his treatment.

Being ignored still felt bad for Kolhinoja two days after Independence Day.

– Really embarrassing from Yle. They were silent when it was my turn. They would have had plenty of time to say, Kolhinoja says with a trembling voice.

The commentators don’t have time to say all the party guests during the busy handshake session. Kolhinoja felt bad that the name was remembered to be mentioned when other athletes were in line.

– This shows how the appreciation for sports for people with intellectual disabilities is a round zero, says Kolhinoja, exhausted.

Kolhinoja says that he has received more than 600 messages on social media related to the event. The first beeps on the phone came immediately after the event.

– They wondered why I wasn’t recognized.

Kolhinoja says that he tried to inquire about Yle’s decision the next day.

– I tried to call. But no one was caught there, Kolhinoja snorts.

Sievinen taught me medals of merit

Kolhinoja, 42, from Vantaa, is a disabled activist and a member of the Liike Nyti party board. He says that he is constantly fighting for media visibility regarding his own sports career, but so far the visibility has remained low.

– I don’t know what I should do to make myself stand out. All kinds of silly things seem to be getting out, Kolhinoja regrets.

It would have been newsworthy. In the summer, I brought home two prestigious competition medals from Berlin.

– In my opinion, not many 42-year-old Finns win medals in prestigious competitions, Kolhinoja says.

Kolhinoja works as a coach Jani Sievinen. Swimming legend Kolhinoj is incensed.

– When you have a top coach, it shows in the results.

The wrapper recognized

Kolhinoj has nothing bad to say about Linna’s party itself.

– The party was really memorable. They left a good feeling.

The most memorable moment was bumping into another Vantaa resident.

– Talking with the wrapper was the best! He recognized me, Kolhinoja says.

Perhaps with the possible future prestigious medals and the visibility now available, the rest of the nation will also recognize Kolhinoja in the future?

– Well, I won’t take a stand on that now, Kolhinoja laughs.

– But hopefully things would go a little better in the future.