Eero Hirvonen made history as the first Finnish medalist in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, achieving a bronze in the Nordic combined event. His impressive performance not only marked a significant milestone for Finland in the games but also came with a monetary reward of €20,000 from the Finnish Olympic Committee for his bronze medal. In contrast, athletes who secured gold and silver medals would receive €50,000 and €30,000, respectively, showcasing the financial incentives related to medal placements.

In addition to the rewards from the Olympic Committee, Hirvonen is likely to receive further financial bonuses from his sponsors, such as equipment manufacturers, although the exact amounts are not publicly disclosed. These additional earnings could increase substantially, amounting to thousands of euros. Such sponsorship deals illustrate the importance of commercial partnerships for athletes, contributing crucial income alongside official awards from the Olympics.

The competition saw Eero Hirvonen finishing with a time of 2.5 seconds behind Norwegian winner Jens Lurås Oftebro and 1.5 seconds behind silver medalist Johannes Lamparter of Austria. His strong finish in a competitive field, including notable performances from other athletes like Ilkka Herola, who came in fifth place, highlights the close nature of the event and the level of talent present at the Winter Olympics. As the games progress, the focus will be on not only the athletic achievements but also the financial implications for athletes like Hirvonen, whose career could see significant boosts following their Olympic successes.