A new historical work on Finnish skiing set to be published details controversial practices in the sport, including alleged blood transfusions performed on several elite skiers in the late 1970s, among them Juha Mieto, Hilkka Riihivuori, and Helena Takalo. According to sports journalist Kari A. Nurmela, these actions were part of a systematic doping strategy that was later addressed in the sports community. Juha Mieto has firmly denied these allegations, expressing he has no recollection of such an event ever happening.

The book, titled 'Latu yli aikojen – Suomen hiihdon historia,' compiled by the Research Group of the Sports and Exercise Culture Centre, focuses on the historical progression of cross-country skiing in Finland, highlighting both its triumphant tales and the turmoil surrounding incidents like the doping scandal at the Lahti World Championships. The narrative aims to shed light on the complex relationship between sport and health standards, particularly in the realm of competitive skiing, where performance pressures have historically led some athletes to engage in risky medical practices.

In addition to recounting the glories and the downfalls associated with Finnish cross-country skiing, the book delves into Finnish skiing training and medical expertise. This ongoing conversation about the ethics of athlete care and the medical community's role in sports raises important questions about past practices and why they went unchallenged for so long, thereby encouraging a deeper examination of the sport's legacy and future direction.