Iivo Niskanen, a Finnish cross-country skier, spoke candidly about his lack of fitness after finishing 17th in a combined race at the Olympic ski stadium in Tesero, Italy. He admitted he was not expecting to be in such poor condition, highlighting his struggle during the competition. Niskanen's performance seemed subpar, especially after coming in half a minute behind the leaders after the first 10 kilometers. His remarks indicated a significant level of frustration with his current form.

Coach Teemu Pasanen offered a contrasting perspective on Niskanen's condition, asserting that recent preparatory training sessions demonstrated the skier's strengths and capabilities. Pasanen emphasized that the Sunday race did not accurately reflect Niskanen's abilities, suggesting that he would perform better once everything fell into place. The evaluation from Pasanen indicates a belief in Niskanen's potential, despite his disappointing race outcome.

The article also mentions challenges Niskanen faced regarding his equipment, suggesting possible ski grip issues during the race. However, it was noted that his teammates had better conditions, demonstrating that the problem was not solely with the ski gear. This situation raises questions about the support provided by the Finnish team and how equipment choices may impact athletes' performances in critical competitions like the Olympics.