The Helsinki figure skating club HSK is facing the likelihood of having to return hundreds of thousands of euros in municipal funding due to allegations against coach Mirjami Penttilä regarding inappropriate behavior toward minors. The city of Helsinki has initiated an investigation into the club’s funding from 2021 to 2025, which amounted to 249,112 euros. The concern arises from past incidents reportedly caused by Penttilä, who was banned from competitions for a year in 2020 due to accusations of shouting, humiliation, and inappropriate language directed at athletes.

A city official, Tuuli Salospohja, stated that Helsinki is collaborating with the Ethical Center of Sports in Finland and the Figure Skating Association to assess whether HSK provided a safe environment for its participants. This inquiry follows reports, including revelations from Helsingin Sanomat, suggesting that Penttilä’s alleged misconduct continued even after her previous sanction. The potential ramifications for HSK could be severe, not only financially but also in terms of reputational damage and the impact on the athletes involved.

The investigation highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety and ethical treatment of young athletes in Finnish sports. The outcomes of this evaluation could lead to significant policy changes in how coaches are monitored and held accountable, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a safe and supportive environment for figure skaters and other young athletes within the sport.