Following Ilkka Herola's competition at the Tesero ski stadium, former Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid voiced her dissatisfaction with how a journalist questioned athlete Kristjan Ilves about the financial rewards from the Estonian Olympic Committee for winning at the Olympics. Kaljulaid, who currently serves as the President of the Estonian Olympic Committee, emphasized her strong feelings against discussing money in relation to athletic achievements, stating, 'Honestly, I hate how they talk about money. No one does this for the money.' Her remarks reflect a passionate defense of the integrity of sport and its athletes.

In Estonia, monetary rewards are given for Olympic medals, with €100,000 for gold, €70,000 for silver, and €45,000 for bronze. Despite Ilves finishing in seventh place, the broader discussion highlighted by Kaljulaid raises questions about the expectations and financial pressures put on athletes. She pointed out that athletes who place between fourth and tenth can receive scholarships from the Olympic Committee for the next two years, which is particularly significant as it contributes to their financial security during their training phases, alleviating fears of financial instability.

Kaljulaid's comments come at a time when the relationship between sports performance and financial incentives is under scrutiny, particularly in countries with rising costs of living where sports funding is vital. By passionately addressing the issue, Kaljulaid champions a viewpoint valuing dedication to sport over the financial aspects, suggesting a shift in how athletics might be perceived amidst financial discourse in both local and international contexts.