Selecting the best team looking forward to the exciting competition - interview with Finnish Olympic Committee official Lehtimeki

Helsinki, 30 Jan (Xinhua) -- Title: Selection of the best team looking forward to a wonderful match - Interview with Finnish Olympic Committee official Lehtimeki

Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Jing

With the arrival of the first Finnish athletes in Beijing not long ago, the Finnish sports delegation's journey to the Beijing Winter Olympics officially began. Finnish Olympic Committee official Lehtimeki said in a written interview with Xinhua News Agency a few days ago that Finland sent the best team to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympic Games and looked forward to the "City of Two Olympics" to hold a wonderful Olympic event.

Finland has a total of 95 athletes participating in the Beijing Winter Olympics, including 51 male athletes and 44 female athletes, who will compete in 9 events.

Lehtimeki said: "Our team is a perfect combination of experience and youth, both veterans who have participated in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, as well as many who will make their Winter Olympic debuts, the youngest athlete born in 2005. ”

Lehtimeki believes that whether two-time Winter Olympic champion Ivo Niskanen can win gold again in cross-country skiing is undoubtedly the biggest attraction. "In the history of winter sports in Finland, there is only one athlete, cross-country skier Vikko Hakullinen, who has won gold medals at three consecutive Winter Olympics."

"In the words of the female team, Rukayelvi has been one of the best female snowboarders in the world for the past decade." Lehtimeki said, "Against a strong opponent, she finished second in the tournament in the United States in December 2021. Rukayelvi has proven time and time again that the more intense the game, the more tenacious she became. ”

Lehtimeki said: "Last time in Pyeongchang, the Finnish team won a total of 6 medals, including 1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze. Obviously, we want to go beyond this result. ”

Finland is a "regular" at the Winter Olympics, and at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Finland won the most medals – 4 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze. Lehtimeki believes that Finland's most promising medal-winning events at this Winter Olympics include cross-country skiing, ice hockey, snowboarding and Nordic biathlon. "Of course, we would also love to see great results in other events, such as biathlon."

Lehtimeki competed in the Beijing Olympics as a television commentator in 2008. He said that China's experience in successfully hosting the 2008 Summer Olympic Games will certainly provide strong technical and organizational support for the holding of the Winter Olympic Games. "Ensuring safe play for athletes and teams is a top priority." Lehtimeki said, "We look forward to a simple, safe and wonderful Olympic event in Beijing. ”