Suomen Olympiakomitea

Young Finnish athletes came back home from Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games with lot of new experiences. They gained their experiences from sports competitions, Culture and Education Programme (CEP) and living almost three weeks in multicultural atmosphere of the Youth Olympic Village. In sports Finnish athletes proved that they are at high international level in their age-group. Achievements included two medals, many new personal records and lot of places in top-10. Two bronze medals were won by Petra Olli in girls’ wrestling and Jussi Kanervo in boys’ 110 m hurdles.

Young talented athlete Niki Blässar, 15, has the honour of carrying the Finnish flag in the opening ceremony of the first ever Youth Olympic Games. "Niki is the 2010 world champion in her age-class and her personality is active and outgoing. What a wonderful representative in the opening parade of nations" Finland's Chef de Mission, Mr. Peter Brüll states. The first ever Youth Olympic Games will be opened with Olympic festivities on Saturday, Aug. 14th, 8 p.m. at Float@Marina Bay, which is the world's biggest floating stage.

Pentti Linnosvuo, a two-time Olympic Winner and the most successful Finnish Olympic shooter of all time, died on 13 July, aged 77.

Finnish National Olympic Committee has nominated 19 athletes, 8 girls and 11 boys to the Youth Olympic Games, taking place in Singapore in 14.-26.8.2010. There are Finnish athletes in shooting, archery, wrestling, sailing, badminton, gymnastics, swimming and athletics. “We expect a magnificent event that encourages young athletes to continue their careers towards future challenges”, Finland’s Chef de Mission Peter Brüll states. The athletes in the first ever Youth Olympic Games are 14-18 of age.

The most powerful sport manager in the world, the IOC President Jacques Rogge will visit Jyväskylä in mid-June, when the city has the honour of hosting the world’s biggest Sport for All congress.