Toni Roponen says: this is why Perttu Hyvärinen was kicked out of the Olympic team

Finland the final Olympic team for Milano-Cortina was announced on Friday. The selections for cross-country skiing were particularly interesting.

Among them, the biggest “carrion” was the value race hero Perttu Hyvärinenwho was left out of the team. It can also be considered a bit surprising that this season even worse than Hyväri was on the ulapa Cross mat Hakola claimed a place in the Olympics.

The Olympic Committee’s top sports representative for snow sports Toni Roponen justifies the solution. According to him, the Olympic Committee accepted the Ski Federation’s proposal as it is, and did not exercise its right to modify the sports federation’s choices with its own hands.

“The selections are based on last year’s and this year’s displays. And it must be remembered that the emphasis in the displays is on Olympic trips,” Roponen begins.

“Hyvärinen doesn’t have any records from last year. This season he has a couple of good skis, but unfortunately from trips that aren’t actually Olympic trips.”

Mixed It’s good that Hakola have been far from their best days this season. Hakola has reached the top 20 in the World Cup race only at the end of November in Ruka’s sprint (p), where he finished 14th.

In the Olympics, he hardly even skis sprint, because the team was selected as distance specialists and Niilo Moilanen that Emil Liekari.

Hyvärinen has been at his best this season, 12th in the traditional Tour de Ski and 18th in the 20 kilometer (p) pursuit of the same tour.

“The selections are based on last year’s and this year’s displays.”

Both were on the line last weekend at Oberhof’s traditional ten. Hyvärinen finished 26th, Hakola 43rd. The difference between the two was 22 seconds.

“Just based on the criteria, based on both last and this season’s displays, the sports association put Hakola ahead of Pertu, and we supported that performance,” says Roponen.

“Shall we say that in elite sports the last choices are usually difficult. The same can be said also Markus from Vuorela. None of them have given very good displays, but pretty evenly strong. “

At the Olympics, the sprint is skied with traditional, the 10 km intermediate start with free and the 50 km with traditional. In addition, the program includes skiathlon, relay and free pair relay.

HS did not reach Hyväris to comment on his recent ouster, but his coach did Mikko Virtanen answered the phone.

“I’m not saying anything,” Virtanen said when asked about the fate of his protégé.

“Nice guys, good athletes. All the best to them,” Virtanen continued, sending his greetings to those selected for the Olympics.

Women’s there were no major surprises in the team selections. Seven of the eight places were already clear in practice, and the last one went to the sprinter Amanda Saarele. In the preliminary speculations, there was also a rush to the place Hilla Niemelä.

“Let’s just say that the choice wasn’t even necessarily among these athletes. But when we talk about international shows, Niemelä has one successful ski from this season. Besides that, all other kv skis have been far away,” Roponen reasons.

“On the other hand, between last and this season, Saari has had five skiers in the traditional sprint among the top 18. It has been quite clear in the sports association’s presentation, Roponen, who is also Saari’s personal coach, continues.”

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