The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics occurred unusually in three locations: Milan, Cortina, and the ski jump site in Predazzo, where Finnish women ski athletes were far removed from participation. Only Krista Pärmäkoski, who carried the Finnish flag, took part, while other athletes, including sprint skier Jasmin Kähärä, chose not to engage due to the absence of immediate competition on the following day. This decision reflects a broader sentiment among the athletes, as they focused their efforts on preparing for their events instead.

The ski jump venue turned out to be more of a farce than a celebration. Athletes, including Kerttu Niskanen, expressed their discontent with the situation, emphasizing that they were left shivering while waiting and watching the Milan ceremony on a screen instead. Niskanen, who finished fifth in her composite event, mentioned that the priority lay in performance for the competition ahead rather than participating in the ceremony, indicating a shared feeling among her peers regarding the lack of incentive to attend in such uncomfortable conditions.

As some athletes contemplated their level of investment in the opening festivities, the overall atmosphere portrayed a disconnect between the Olympic celebration and the actual sporting events. Athletes like Vilma Nissinen, who finished in 40th place, echoed similar sentiments, citing a lack of motivation to stand around in the cold when their focus was racing. This scenario raises questions about athlete wellbeing in ceremonial contexts and highlights the difference in priorities, where competition and performance take precedence over ceremonial participation in the Olympic framework.