Feb 8 • 06:35 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Iltalehti

A Finnish coach at the Olympics was severely injured – Two accidents: "It came straight to my face"

Finnish coach Jonne Kähkönen experienced two unfortunate accidents while preparing for the Olympics, resulting in a facial injury and a finger injury that required minor surgery.

Jonne Kähkönen, the Finnish coach for Italy's biathlon team, encountered a serious accident after the conclusion of an Olympic training camp. While loading a stationary bike into a vehicle, Kähkönen had an unexpected incident where the bike's front fork detached and struck him in the face. Fortunately, he managed to dodge it enough that it only hit his nose, leaving him with a noticeable bruise. This misfortune highlights the risks faced by coaches even in seemingly safe environments.

Further misfortune followed Kähkönen on a Friday evening when he found himself on the wrong side of a heavy, old-fashioned door from a barn or shed, which he mistimed as it was closing. The door slammed directly into his finger, resulting in a significant injury that required a minor surgical intervention by the team's doctor, including anesthesia and the removal of a nail. Such accidents emphasize that hazards can come from ordinary situations and can impact even the most seasoned professionals.

Kähkönen humorously referenced a Finnish saying about mishaps, noting that while Finnish folklore mentions that misfortunes come in threes, Italian lore continues with a fourth happening without warning. This connection adds a lighthearted perspective on his unfortunate streak during such a crucial time as the Olympics approach, showing that even in potential calamities, there can be moments of humor and camaraderie among athletes and coaches alike.

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