Finland has announced its women's 4x7.5km relay team for the upcoming Milano-Cortina Olympics, with Johanna Matintalo, Kerttu Niskanen, Vilma Ryytty, and Jasmi Joensuu selected to represent the country. The decision to exclude Krista Pärmäkoski, a seasoned athlete who has participated in various high-stakes relay events for Finland, comes as a surprise given her previous integral role in the team. Pärmäkoski's performance declined significantly after she contracted COVID-19 in December, which ultimately influenced the team's selection process.

Pärmäkoski has been a prominent figure in Finnish skiing, representing the nation since 2011 in all major relay competitions, except for the 2013 World Championships in Val di Fiemme. Her experience and track record made her a likely candidate for the team, but the recent setback has led to her exclusion. The Finnish Ski Association aims to field the strongest possible team for the Olympic relay event, focusing on athletes in peak condition.

With gold medals on the line, Finland’s goal for the Milano-Cortina Olympics relay race is to secure a medal, which speaks to the heightened expectations for the team. The announcement not only highlights the rigorous selection criteria but also underscores the importance of physical conditioning and performance consistency, especially considering the impact of health issues such as COVID-19 on athletic careers.