Suomen Olympiakomitea

Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck came to an end on Sunday when Finland won the Olympic gold medal in men’s ice hockey. Altogether, Finland achieved five medals in Innsbruck, two gold medals and three silver medals. In addition to the gold medal in ice hockey, freestyle skier Niki Lehikoinen won the men’s ski cross event. Also in freestyle, Finnish skier Lauri Kivari got the silver medal in men’s halfpipe. Two other silver medals were brought by Ilkka Herola in nordic combined and by Eveliina Viljanen in figure skating. Viljanen won the silver medal in Youth Olympic Games special event, in the mixed-NOC team event.

Altogether 40 young athletes from Finland will travel to Innsbruck for the Winter Youth Olympic Games. They will experience a unique event, which includes top level sports competitions as well as Culture and Education Programme. The Youth Olympic Games are organized in Austria, Innsbruck and its surroundings January 13-22, 2012.

The board of the Finnish Olympic Committee selected altogether eight athletes to the Finnish Olympic Team in the London 2012 Olympic Games in their first selection meeting. Out of eight athletes there were four shooters, including the Olympic Champion Satu Mäkelä-Nummela, three athletes from long distance disciplines of athletics and a wrestler. Two other selection dates are May 24 and July 5, 2012.

Finnish athletes brought home altogether three medals from European Youth Olympic Festival, which was held in Trabzon, Turkey on July 22-29. All medals were achieved in athletics. From boys competitions Matti Sivonen got silver in shot put and Sebastian Teikari got silver in javelin. Anna Hämäläinen ran bronze in girls 200 meters.

67 talented Finnish athletes will travel to Trabzon, Turkey, to compete against other European athletes between 14-18 years old. Athletes are competing in individual sports of athletics, cycling, gymnastics, judo, swimming and tennis. In team sports Finland is represented by girls’ basketball team. 11th European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), which is a high level competition for young athletes as well as an opportunity to learn Olympism, will start on Saturday (July 23).