Taxpayers will be the major financiers of the athletics European Championships application project, Riikka Pakarinen promises to resign if Helsinki is not successful in the application

Government decided to support the massive grant request of the 2030 European Championship application project in athletics in the frame rush that ended on Wednesday.

The matter will be confirmed by the minister responsible for sports Mika Poutala (kd). The support applied for by the Finnish Sports Association (SUL) has been a total of ten million euros.

“Yes, the board has decided to commit to applying for and organizing the games. There are both financial and branding reasons behind it,” says Poutala.

“It has been carefully calculated that major international events bring significant economic benefits to both the city and the municipalities and the state through tourists. They are also important for Finland’s image and of course for the athletes who get to compete in front of their home crowd.”

SUL will receive a historically large support package from the government for the years 2027–2030. In 2026, as previously agreed, the amount will be 0.5 million, and next year it will be two million euros.

There is a conditional state guarantee for the remaining 7.5 million euros. It will be paid in the event that Finland wins the Games. The search will end in March 2027.

The State Council announced on Wednesday that it will support Helsinki’s application for the EC with two million euros in 2027, but there was no mention of any other payment commitment in the announcement.

“The government is committed to promoting the application and organization of the games. The following funding items will be returned to in connection with future budget discussions, if Finland gets the games,” says Poutala.

Taxpayers play a significant role in the application process for the European Championships. The government’s support of ten million makes up about a third of the Euro 30 million EC competition budget.

The amount is exceptionally large, ten times larger than the subsidies granted by the Ministry of Education and Culture (OKM) for individual prize contest projects up until now. OKM distributes a total of two million euros a year in support to around 30 international sports events organized in Finland.

CEO of the Sports Association Harry Aalto said before the decisions of the frame fight In an interview with Yle Urheiluthat without significant support from the state, the association would seriously consider withdrawing from the entire EC bid.

President of the Sports Association Riikka Pakarinen basically justifies applying for a large subsidy with the same arguments.

“Today, global competitions cost a lot. It is starting to become an established practice that states participate in supporting application projects in various sports. Without state support, we would not be able to apply for the European Championships in any way,” Pakarinen says.

“Then the risk would be that our union would collapse. Fortunately, the government understood what we needed to continue this application process.”

Almost 60 percent of the EUR 24 million budget for the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome was public support.

“The government’s support of ten million gives us the financial security to do the games with a plus-minus zero budget. So there is no profit target of any kind entered into the sports federation’s budget,” says Pakarinen.

Athletics The EC competition search is exceptional anyway. And not just because it got solid public support despite the government’s massive austerity measures.

Normally, public subsidies for sports events are applied for through the Ministry of Education and Culture, but the Sports Confederation’s application was processed directly in a hurry without official preparation.

The sports association was able to lobby the government and the prime minister directly Petteri Orpon (cook) on the table. It required a wild behind-the-scenes game, the result of which the management of the Sports Association is, as expected, excited.

It regards the policy as a significant precedent.

“This is not just about athletics, this is the future model for Finland. I am proud that it was athletics that opened the game. So, in the future, it is in the state’s interests to invest in major events in different sports, because they benefit all Finns,” Pakarinen says.

“According to studies, for example, the EC athletics championships or the Eurovision Song Contest bring more benefits to the Finnish economy than they take away tax funds. The Finnish model is necessary so that we don’t fall off the development bandwagon.”

Athletics In addition to Helsinki, Brussels and Zurich are vying to host the 2030 race.

Pakarinen exudes great confidence.

“Now that the funding model is in place, the Games will be ours in 2030. I dare to say that with a 99 percent probability,” Pakarinen downloads.

“If we don’t get the games, I will resign immediately.”