Emil Liekari, a 24-year-old Finnish cross-country skier, addressed the media after his controversial remarks made during a Yleisradio interview. Following a 15-second time penalty incurred due to a false start during the qualification rounds of the Lahti World Cup sprint event, Liekari expressed regret over his comments, which he later described as rooted in his own "stupidity". He acknowledged that the situation had garnered significant attention, adding that he hoped not everyone would take offense to what he said.

In his apology, Liekari clarified that his remarks were not intended to be malicious and emphasized that they stemmed from a moment of frustration. He described himself as a skier with a sense of humor and admitted to sometimes using colorful language which can lead to public relations issues. Liekari's comments highlight the struggles athletes face when balancing authenticity with the expectations of public and media scrutiny.

Moreover, Liekari underscored the importance of maintaining his personality and not diluting his expressions for the sake of public image, even in light of such incidents. His candidness about the pressures of the sport and the media offers a glimpse into the mindset of competitive athletes, particularly as they navigate difficult moments in their careers.