Perttu Hyvärinen has been officially named as the first reserve skier for Finland's Olympic team by head coach Teemu Pasanen. If any athlete falls ill or is unable to compete, Pasanen will quickly reach out to Hyvärinen to step in. He is expected to arrive in Val di Fiemme from Kuopio with just a day's notice, but this situation highlights the precarious nature of reserves in the Olympics.

The likelihood of Hyvärinen participating in the Games is decreasing each day as the competition gets closer. Pasanen pointed out that once an athlete has competed in their first event, no changes can be made to the lineup for health reasons. This uncertainty casts a shadow over Hyvärinen's prospects. The first major competition for the Finnish team is the men's combined skiing event, where four primary athletes, including Iivo Niskanen and Ristomatti Hakola, are set to compete.

Pasanen's statements serve as a stark reminder of the rules surrounding Olympic athlete selections and the impact of injuries or health issues. After the Sunday race, the chances to make any changes will significantly diminish, particularly as the subsequent sprint event will likely see the entire team competing. Hyvärinen's preparation as a reserve skier is critical, yet the rules leave little room for uncertainty as the team gears up for the Olympics.