Finnish athlete Eero Hirvonen has earned a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, which will yield him a €20,000 bonus from the Finnish Olympic Committee.
Eero Hirvonen, a Finnish athlete in Nordic combined, made history by becoming the first Finnish medalist at the Winter Olympics held in Milan-Cortina, securing a bronze medal in his event on Wednesday. This achievement not only highlights his athletic prowess but also carries financial rewards; Hirvonen will receive a €20,000 bonus from the Finnish Olympic Committee for his medal. In comparison, a gold medal would have brought him €50,000, while a silver medal was worth €30,000.
Additionally, Hirvonen is expected to earn substantial amounts from sponsorship deals beyond the Olympic Committee's bonuses, although the exact figures from partners like equipment manufacturers are not disclosed. However, these supplementary earnings could amount to thousands of euros, reflecting the strong marketability of successful Olympians. The competition saw Hirvonen trail behind the winner, Norway’s Jens Lurås Oftebro, and the silver medalist, Austria’s Johannes Lamparter, finishing just behind them by 1.5 and 2.5 seconds, respectively.
Hirvonen's accomplishment puts him in the spotlight as he continues to represent Finland in international competitions, and this particular medal may bolster his profile and commercial value significantly. The success of Finnish athletes at the Olympics often generates national pride and can inspire a new generation of sports enthusiasts, further invigorating the winter sports culture in Finland.
