Iivo Niskanen, a Finnish cross-country skier, participated in the 10 km classic mass start at the Lahti Salpausselkä World Cup and finished fifth, trailing the winner Johannes Høsflot Klæbo by 43.8 seconds. Niskanen shared his thoughts after the race, noting that his skiing felt better than expected despite having only one significant breath after the grueling 50 km event in the Olympics he had to abandon due to illness.

He expressed that although he was positioned around 18th place after one kilometer, his feeling was generally positive despite concerns about his performance on flat sections of the race. Niskanen faced challenges due to his recent health issues during the Olympics in Milano-Cortina, where he fell short of expectations.

His return to competitive skiing highlights both his determination to bounce back from Olympic disappointment and the ongoing struggles he faces with his health. As he continues to compete, his progress will be watched closely by fans and analysts, particularly in anticipation of how he manages his health challenges in future races.