Feb 21 • 07:35 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Ilta-Sanomat

Iivo Niskanen: Decision in Warm-up

Finnish skier Iivo Niskanen is uncertain about competing in the 50-kilometer traditional skiing event but will make a final decision during warm-up.

Finnish cross-country skier Iivo Niskanen has announced that he will decide whether to race in the 50-kilometer traditional skiing event on Saturday during his warm-up. This uncertainty comes after he recently tested positive for metapneumovirus, which has caused him respiratory symptoms and limited his ability to train adequately in the week leading up to the race. Niskanen mentioned that he has only engaged in low-intensity workouts recently, which contributes to his uncertainty about his performance on the course.

Despite the challenges, Finland's head coach Teemu Pasanen noted that Niskanen has been training 'normally' despite his symptoms, indicating a level of optimism regarding his condition. At 34 years old, Niskanen is a prominent figure in Finnish skiing, having won multiple Olympic medals, including three golds. His participation in the upcoming 50-kilometer event is being highly anticipated by fans, especially considering his past achievements, including his victory in the same distance at the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018.

In the ongoing Milan-Cortina Olympics, Niskanen has so far only competed in mixed skiing and relay events, heightening the interest surrounding his potential race in the longer format. His decision during the warm-up will be crucial not only for him personally but also for the Finnish team's hopes in the cross-country skiing competitions.

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