Timo Ritakallio, the chief executive of Ilmarinen, was selected as the new chairperson of the Finnish Olympic Committee in Lahti on 26 November, 2016.
Prime Minister Juha Sipilä (Centre) is supportive of the idea of Finland submitting a bid to host the Winter Olympics.
Timo Ritakallio, the newly-elected chairperson of the Finnish Olympic Committee, recently floated the idea of the country submitting a joint bid with one of its neighbours, Norway or Sweden, to host the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I think that sustainable development is the future for the Olympic Games,” Ritakallio said roughly a week ago, according to Turun Sanomat. Finland, he estimated, will have a genuine opportunity to co-host the Winter Olympics, but also the Summer Olympics, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is looking for more cost-efficient and sustainable solutions to host the Olympic Games.
Sipilä urged decision-makers to explore the possibility during his weekly interview on YLE Radio Suomi on Sunday.
“These are the kind of bold dreams and visions I think Finland should have. [It remains to be seen] if 2026 comes a bit too soon and if four years later would be better, but I encourage authorities to look carefully into these things,” he stated.
“Yes,” he affirmed when asked if he hopes the Olympic Games returned to Finland.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT Photo: Vesa Moilanen – Lehtikuva Source: Uusi Suomi
