A member of parliament criticizes athletes – this is how Iivo Niskanen responds

Congressman Mika Poutala(kd) made headlines on Tuesday when he criticized Finnish star athletes. Inter alia Iivo Niskanen, Kalle Rovanperä and Valtteri Bottas have appeared as advertising faces for various energy drink brands.

Former Olympic-level speed skater Poutala sees star athletes as role models, and he is concerned about the effects of energy drinks on children and young people.

“I think it’s problematic that athletes advertise energy drinks. Especially if the ads are targeted or it is known that there are a lot of young people and children among the followers,” states Poutala.

“I think the biggest problem is the effect on sleep. If we start ruining our sleep with, for example, energy drinks”, the multiplier effects on many other things are great.

On Tuesday, Poutala submitted a written question in parliament.

Olympic champion Iivo Niskanen comments on the use of energy drinks from the perspective of a top athlete. In terms of competitive sports, according to Niskanen, energy drinks are a natural part of a competitive athlete’s nutrition, especially before top performances.

“Usually, I try to time it so that I drink an energy drink about an hour before I should be “peaking”, i.e. at peak level. In longer performances, for example in 50 km skiing, it is suitable to drink another drink at about one hour, so that you are at your best for the final decision of the race.”

Niskanen considers Poutala’s discussion of energy drinks to be distasteful from an athlete’s point of view.

“As an athlete, I think that coming from the mouth of an ex-athlete is quite disrespectful. Endurance athletes want to optimize their bodies for performance, and almost all athletes use caffeine. Only a very few will have negative side effects that hinder performance.

Other among others, acting as manager of Niskanen and Kalle Rovanperä Miro Rousku wondering about Poutala’s opening.

“Children shouldn’t drink energy drinks, just like they shouldn’t drink coffee, that’s true. But in elite sports, as well as in the active lifestyle of an ordinary citizen, there are consumption situations”, where energy drinks are helpful.

“If we put another athlete Kalle Rovanperä next to Iivo, he drinks energy drinks during his performances”, because caffeine is proven to improve reaction capacity.

In his career, Rousku has worked, among other things, as the person responsible for Red Bull’s sports marketing and partnerships.

“Having worked in that position, let’s just say that Poutala’s comments came to me from a very surprising source,” he states.

Rouskun colleague, another Finnish star manager Harry Halme says that he appreciates Poutala’s point of view. Halme has operated, among other things Kaisa Mäkäräinen, Olli-Pekka Karjalainen and Pekka Koskelan as a manager.

“Energy drinks and nutritional supplements are a big and growing industry globally. Companies operating in the field have built their brand around speed and youth, Red Bull being the sharpest example. They are a big financier of sports globally and with a wide range of sports. I appreciate Poutala’s health- and ethically justified opening for discussion, but I think that in the 2020s, banning and setting age limits is not the solution.”

“Rather, the solution is the way of acting that is characteristic of Finland, i.e. we should investigate whether, for example, the amount of caffeine in energy drinks is harmful to children and young people and develop attitude education around the drinks. Banning them only makes them more attractive.”

According to Halmee, athletes nowadays think more and more carefully about what kind of partnerships they join. On the other hand, few athletes in Finland can actually afford to choose sponsors.

” Enni Rukajärvi refused Red Bull’s extension contract offer a few years ago. I remember that some of the athletes thought it was an ethical, moral and admirable solution; some thought it was just a publicity stunt. So opinions vary. However, responsibility and transparency are still growing values, also in sports.”

Halme emphasizes that as a Member of Parliament, Poutala has an obligation to raise a public debate about the problems he has observed in society.

“Nevertheless, I hope that the significant sponsorship industry will not disappear or shrink from sports. There aren’t too many of them.”