Fast walker Aku Partanen was left without an athlete grant – this is how he reacted

Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM) announced on Friday the athlete grants for this year’s summer sports with renewed criteria. A total of 76 athletes received scholarships.

Even last year, 162 athletes received grants.

OKM said in its announcementthat the grant is awarded to the most promising successful candidates of the prize competitions.

The new regulations have sparked a debate. Among other things, the chairman of the Finnish Sports Association Riikka Pakarinen presented criticism towards the new grant system.

In addition, athletics coach Hannu Kangas opened up on his Instagram account his daughter, a shot putter Emilia Kankaanabout falling out of the scope of sports grants.

One the athlete who was also left without a scholarship is a race walker Brother-Matti “Aku” Partanen.

“It’s a shame that a large part of the money meant for living is now gone,” says Partanen.

“I understand the selection criteria and respect the decision, but of course my own fate makes me sad.”

In athletics, the grant was awarded to 16 athletes this year, compared to 41 last year.

Partanen doesn’t speculate on who deserves the grant and who doesn’t.

“This year, a stricter line has clearly been made. A large group was left out,” the competitive walker reflects.

“When we talk about public money, that money is quite scarce.”

From Partanen, 34, who has been covered by the grant since 2013, says that the new decision came as a shock, but he is not going to stay and fight his fate.

“You can’t stay where you are here, but instead look ahead and see what I can influence,” says the competitive walker.

“Now we just have to make a good result so that a return to the grants is possible.”

However, without financial support, Partanen does not have to practice the sport.

“With the support of the sports association and the sports academy, I can make sure that the daily activities remain unchanged.”

Partanen encourages other athletes to invest in their own fundraising so that they can secure their position in a similar situation to the one he himself has now found himself in.

Okm: n the track and field athlete who used the granted grant for everyday basic things assures that nothing will change, even though the decision was negative this year.

Partanen reminds us that Finns were winning prestigious competition medals long before grants were awarded to athletes.

“It doesn’t help to be sad that the decision was negative,” says Partanen.

“Nothing but a look towards the future.”