Tõnis Sildaru, the father and coach of freestyle skiing Olympic silver medalist Henry Sildaru, has decided to forgo the prize money and future coaching support offered by the Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK). Gerd Kanter, vice president of the EOK, discussed the situation during a sports program on ETV, emphasizing that while Tõnis has significant professional knowledge, he currently lacks the official coaching qualification required by the EOK.

In a significant announcement made by Tõnis Sildaru, he stated that he has returned the prize money of 35,000 euros. However, as of now, the EOK has not received any official correspondence regarding this matter, indicating that communication has primarily occurred through social media channels. The EOK’s top sports commission is scheduled to convene on April 22, where it's expected that the topic of Tõnis's coaching status will be addressed, raising questions about his future role within the organization.

The absence of a coaching qualification for Tõnis Sildaru raises implications for his future in coaching, despite his expertise in freestyle skiing. Without the certification, the EOK is uncertain about how to classify Tõnis's role. This situation highlights the importance of formal qualifications in coaching, suggesting that personal achievements in sports may not be sufficient for official recognition or support by governing bodies like the EOK.