Suvi Minkkinen, at the age of 31, achieved a historic milestone on Sunday by becoming the first Finnish woman to win an Olympic medal in biathlon. Her remarkable feat occurred during a pursuit race, where she transformed her sixth-place position after the sprint into a medal celebration due to her perfect last shooting performance. The excitement and joy surrounding this achievement were palpable, particularly in the commentary studio of Yle, where commentator Johannes Oikarinen and expert Kaisa Mäkäräinen were fully engaged in Minkkinen's star moment, showcasing their support and enthusiasm for her success.

Kaisa Mäkäräinen, a former teammate of Minkkinen, was visibly moved when the medal was decided, as captured by her emotional response during the live broadcast. Later, she shared her sentiments on Instagram by posting a collection of seven photos that celebrated their shared history and achievements over the years. The series included six pictures, likely ordered chronologically, culminating with a recent image from December 2017 depicting Minkkinen as a young athlete in Finland's national biathlon team, leading to her triumphant Olympic performance.

Mäkäräinen congratulated Minkkinen, stating, "You made history today as the first Finnish woman to earn an Olympic medal in biathlon. Huge congratulations, Suvi Minkkinen!" This moment not only marks a significant achievement for Minkkinen but also elevates the profile of women's biathlon in Finland, inspiring future generations of athletes and showcasing the growth of the sport within the country.