Ville Räikkönen made history in 1998 when he won a bronze medal in biathlon at the Nagano Olympics, becoming the last Finnish athlete to secure an Olympic medal in that sport. Now at 53, Räikkönen continues to engage with skiing and enjoys paragliding while working as a production engineering graduate. He expressed his hope that someone from Finland will take the title of the last Olympic medalist in biathlon from him at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics.

Räikkönen reminisces about the surprise of winning a medal in Nagano, where he was referred to as a 'tourist' in headlines celebrating his achievement. This accolade was a significant moment for Finnish sports, and his journey from Tuusula to the Olympic podium has left an impression on the country. The media portrayal at the time emphasized the unexpected nature of his success, marking him as a noteworthy figure in Finland's sporting history.

Even after ending his professional career in 2002, Räikkönen remains active in skiing, setting personal goals to stay motivated. His experiences as an Olympic athlete continue to inspire him, and he takes pride in being a part of Finland's sporting legacy. With the anticipation of upcoming Games, he hopes that a new generation of athletes will emerge to carry on the tradition of excellence in biathlon for Finland, ultimately hoping to pass on his title.