Suek starts an investigation into HSK’s activities

Mirjami Penttinen at the beginning of March in the WC in figure skating. Picture: Vesa-Matti Wrong

Finland the sports ethics center Suek begins an investigation into serious suspicions of ethical violations concerning the activities of Helsingfors Skridskoklubb (HSK), the club’s head coach and various members of the club.

In the investigation, Suek will also find out whether HSK has properly monitored and controlled its operations and properly intervened in possible suspected violations.

“We have received an exceptional number of contacts about this entity through various channels. In these approximately fifty reports, different points of view are brought to the fore. Since some of the reports are anonymous, their reliability must be carefully assessed at the very beginning of the investigation,” Suek’s head of investigations Jouko Ikonen says in the announcement.

According to Ikonen, the investigation will take time because there have been so many contacts.

“Within the club, different actors also have strong differences of opinion about the events. Because of these issues, the investigation will take months and may even go into early autumn.”

Helsingin Sanomat news at the beginning of March coach Mirjami Penttinen for alleged inappropriate behavior towards the club’s skaters. He received a one-year suspension from competition in 2020. Four athletes and four parents said that Penttinen’s inappropriate behavior continued even after that.

HSK recently announced that Penttinen’s employment with the club will end on April 13.