Mika Poutala’s heart was broken by the Olympic Committee’s change: “A merciless game”

Congressman Mika Poutala (kd) was a lively guy when he was young – according to his biography, he was a kind of adjuster. After the end of his sports career, the former speed skater’s political career has progressed at breathtaking speed. Poutala has been a legislator in the parliament for two years, and next summer he will replace Sandra Bergqvistin (rkp) as minister responsible for exercise, sports and youth affairs.

“I discussed with several people whether it is worth it for a first-term member of parliament to aspire to become a minister,” says Poutala.

After the discussions, he acted the same as when he was playing sports.

“If you go into politics, then you go all out and aim for the top.”

The 41-year-old Poutala has half a year to familiarize himself with his field of administration. There’s plenty to learn.

“I would say that I have a suitable level of horror, but if you want to grow as a person, you have to take steps that are a little exciting,” Poutala puts it.

In sports politics Poutala jumps to the other side of the fence. He has sat on the board of the Finnish Olympic Committee as an athlete member for the previous four years, but in the summer he will become the boss of the ministry that grants state aid to OK.

Relations between the Olympic Committee and the Ministry (OKM) have been cool for a long time, but they turned icy this year. Inflamed personal relationships surfaced last weekend when the outgoing chairman of the Olympic Committee Jan Vapaavuori charged in the direction of a full-fledged ministry.

Poutala knows Vapaavuori and knows this straightforward style, but still the tone of the farewell speech surprised me.

“Because the dune was done.”

”

The first thing you should do is look in the mirror, and then think about what you can learn from this.

The operating methods of the ice field speed glider are different.

“My way is not to point the finger at where mistakes have been made. The first thing to do is look in the mirror, and then think about what you can learn from this.”

Poutala competed in four Olympic Games (2006–2018) and was three hundredths of a second away from a medal in the 500 meters the last time. He if anyone knows how it stings to be without a medal. He has enough empathy for the Finnish girl’s safeties, who were left in the zero club at the Paris Olympic Games.

“I wouldn’t say that Paris was a big failure, and because of the lack of medals, elite sports have taken center stage again.”

When Poutala started on the board of the Olympic Committee 2020, he thought he would bring with him fresh knowledge of elite sports.

“When the steering groups were being established, I raised my hand when naming a top sports team, but I couldn’t join and I don’t know why.”

According to Poutala, top sports remained a secondary role in the government’s work. Especially after the more movement section was added to the focus areas of the Olympic Committee.

“When a third came along with the two concentration areas, it took up a lot of the board’s working time as well.”

The EC medalist’s heart was broken.

“From my point of view, the handling of elite sports was mercilessly small.”

Olympic Committee the status of the elite sports unit has been talked about all autumn.

Currently, OKM’s staff is preparing a report on the future organization of elite sports. Poutala is a member of the future committee in the parliament, but still there is no crystal ball in the portfolio.

“I’m looking forward to the results of the investigation and I don’t want to take a position yet on where the elite sports unit will be located in the future.”

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The top sports system must have sufficient autonomy.

He has one requirement.

“A top sports system must have sufficient autonomy.”

As minister, Poutala has to balance the demands of different interest groups. Of course, there have been enough lobbyists in the corridors of the parliament as well.

“I’ve had a really open attitude towards lobbyists and I’ve learned a lot from them,” says Poutala, mentioning the youth sector in particular.

“It has been a stranger to me.”

There are plenty of advisors and tips providers in the field of sports. For example, the state’s investment in building sports facilities arouses interest. The appropriations used for them have already been reduced, and the grants will probably not increase in the next few years.

Poutala’s main sport, speed skating, is still without a hall where the sport could be practiced all year round.

Will the construction of the hall begin during your term as minister?

“It’s not mainly up to the ministry or the minister, and when grants have already been cut during this government term, I see it as quite unlikely that the speed skating rink would come during my ministerial term.”

On the weekend Poutala emphasized the importance of versatile movement. He plans to approach the people and listen to their wishes regarding the organization of exercise opportunities.

“One idea is that I invite senior citizens for a joint walk around Töölönlahti, and then we will discuss exercise and well-being.”

Poutala wants to set an example himself and hopes it will catch on.

“And to create the sense of community that is needed.”

Children getting stuck in the grips of smartphones and digital devices has been found to be a significant problem. Poutala has three children who play sports in the club and move around in everyday life with their parents. Like their peers, they are diginative.

“We are fighting with young people specifically about this screen time and its excess.”

Children have defined limits for phone use and video games. From time to time Poutala’s poppoo gathers at the table.

“Then we look at how many smart devices have been used.”

Poutala has so far skillfully dodged nasty things in the political minefield. As a minister, he cannot skate away from issues related to the party and government work.

The chairman of the Christian Democrats Sari Essayahin parliamentary assistant and 2nd vice-chairman of the party Katriina Hiippavuori left his group last week and announced that he would move to the coalition’s caucus. He stated that the reason was differences of opinion on the situation in the Middle East.

When asked about the tragedy in Gaza, Poutala’s expression becomes serious and the answer lingers longer than before.

“I hope that a solution can be reached so that the two-state model is realized, but on the condition that both are satisfied with it.”

Poutala is a third-generation Pentecostal, so he has a religious image and strong sympathy for Israel.

“Bad choices and decisions can be made in Israel, but I do want to defend Israel’s existence,” says Poutala and adds in the same breath:

“Of course I don’t accept everything that Israel does.”

Poutalan after taking off his skating leotard in 2018, he supported himself as an entrepreneur and speaking gigs. The message of the ex-athlete sank into the people, and the road quickly led to bigger forums. Poutala made it to Espoo’s council in the 2021 municipal elections, and two years later, the resilient fellow jumped all the way up the steps of the House of Parliament.

As a politician, Poutala has not been able to rap in the style of his youth or speak with the passion of a keynote speaker. Even wearing a suit, he would like to impress and impress the listeners.

“I would like to bring a stronger rhetorical side to my speeches.

So far, he has mostly had to speak directly from the paper. In the future, he hopes to sing the text “straight from the back of his head”.