The next edition of the prestigious Ski Games series ended on Sunday with the ski jumping competition. As part of this skiing festival, Finns are organizing the World Cup competition in jumping, cross-country and nordic combined. This year’s edition had a unique dimension. It is because of the aggression against Ukraine.
War in Ukraine and a holiday in Lahti. Internet users outraged
However, the situation beyond our eastern border did not prevent the organizers of the top competitions in Lahti from celebrating their best. The Finns had something to celebrate, because their Olympic medalists were successful in cross-country skiing. Krista Parmakoski was third in the 10 km competition in the women’s classic style, and the Olympic champion in 15 km – Ilvo Niskanen won in the men’s competition.
Also the jumpers presented much better than in recent years. During the weekend, three Finnish jumpers scored points and in Saturday’s team competition Aalto, Nousiainen, Kytosaho and Heikkinen took sixth place.
It is not known if these good results encouraged people to have a big fete, but on Saturday evening a firework show could be seen. – I would like to add that the show started with an airplane from which three paratroopers with fireworks jumped out – Dominik Formela from Skijumping.pl reports on Twitter. Almost full stands of fans played to the rhythm of the dance music. One big festival, and a war behind the fence.
From the side of Polish fans and journalists, the organizers in Lahti were thundered. – A scandal. It is disgusting – assessed Damian Michałowski, who runs a studio on TVN. – In Lahti, as if nothing had happened, an air show, fireworks, music … OK, you have to live on, but in the face of what is happening in Ukraine now, that these poor people are fighting for their country, the organizers should limit themselves to a minimum of ‘ such special effects – wrote one of the fans.
– By the way, in Lahti, we expressed our deepest condolences to the Ukrainians. We are certainly not celebrating what is happening – Tomi-Pekka Kolu, secretary general of Lahti Ski Games replied to Sport.pl. – We remind you that everything happened in a very short time since Thursday morning. Our event was already planned then and after a long period of the pandemic also open to the public – added the Finn.
Nobody, however, called for the complete cancellation of the competition. Even the contestants noticed that the music and dancing were not appropriate at this point. It was difficult for them to focus on the competition, let alone celebrate. – I think about what is happening all the time. I can’t get away from it. It touched me a lot. Today I wanted to say that as athletes we cannot pretend that nothing is happening. We should speak out about it – he said on Sunday in an interview with Eurosport.
– Canceling (which would not be possible during this period) most of the side events would have a long-term impact on our partners, but also on the organization in financial terms. All decisions were made on the basis of FIS statements and recommendations, replies Tomi-Pekka Kolu.
Source: Sport
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