On Friday, the Finnish ski team faced troubling news when Iivo Niskanen was diagnosed with metapneumovirus. His sister, Kerttu Niskanen, shared her worries about her brother's health during a press conference held at the Finnish hotel, expressing her disappointment over the illness affecting their team's morale. This comes as a significant setback as they had previously managed to avoid any health issues among the team members while in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

Kerttu revealed that Iivo had been experiencing respiratory symptoms, and a decision regarding his participation in the 50-kilometer race would be made on Saturday morning. The Finnish national coach, Teemu Pasanen, noted that Iivo had been training normally throughout the week despite his symptoms, which highlights the dedication of the athlete under difficult circumstances. Kerttu remains hopeful that her brother will be able to compete, emphasizing the importance of the race to them and the team.

As Iivo continues to be isolated due to his illness, Kerttu has maintained contact with him as much as possible. Though the situation is worrying, Kerttu expressed a realistic understanding that they are facing challenges beyond their control, indicating that the team's focus must remain on supporting each other during these tough times. Overall, the news has cast a shadow over the Finnish team's preparations, raising concerns about how illness could impact their overall performance in the upcoming competitions.