Finland wants to catch up to its neighbors after a poor Olympics
Finland aims to improve its Olympic performance after securing six medals at the Milano Cortina games, which included one silver and five bronzes, falling short compared to its achievements in the previous Winter Olympics.
Finland's Olympic Committee sports director, Janne Hänninen, expressed satisfaction with the six medals won at the Milano Cortina Olympics, which included one silver and five bronze medals. Historically, this was one of Finland's poorer performances in Winter Olympic history, with only the 2010 Vancouver Games yielding fewer medals. The Finnish teams, particularly in Nordic combined, contributed significantly to this medal tally, showcasing the country's athletic talents despite the disappointing overall results.
Compared to the previous Winter Olympics held in Beijing, where Finland achieved a remarkable haul of two golds, two silvers, and four bronzes, the results in Milan revealed a definite regression. Nevertheless, Hänninen had set a goal of six medals prior to the games—an aim that was precisely fulfilled, signaling a degree of consistency even if the medal types were not as prestigious as desired. This indicates that while Finland acknowledges their shortcomings, they also recognize the importance of process and systems in achieving results.
Looking ahead, there is a strong desire within Finnish sports to recalibrate and enhance their competitive edge in future Olympic endeavors. As Finland aims to catch up with neighboring countries in terms of Olympic success, the focus will likely be on refining training systems and improving athlete performance to ensure that future Olympic Games yield better results and enhance their standing in international sports.