Universiade medal record kicks off our year of international competitions and meetings

In Torino, Italy, the Finnish team took a total of eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Finnish athletes reached the podium in biathlon, skiing, mogul skiing and giant slalom. Skier Markus Kasanen from LUT University took home the largest haul of medals by taking gold in 20 kilometres classic style and bronze in both the classic style sprint and as a member of the men’s relay team.

The other medallists from OLL’s member organisations were mogul skiing winner Akseli Ahvanainen (Hanken), para giant slalom winner Nette Kiviranta, member of the winning women’s ski relay team Iida Vuollet (Kajaani UAS) and member of the men’s bronze ski relay team Topias Kemppi (Aalto). See all the medallists and placings on the website of the Finnish Olympic Committee (in Finnish).

Congratulations to the entire team!

A year of World University Games and General Assemblies

The World University Games are organised under the International University Sports Federation FISU. The Finnish Student Sports Federation (OLL) is Finland’s member in FISU, and OLL has an agreement regarding student high-performance sports with the Olympic Committee.

OLL’s Secretary General Ida Bolander and Head of Communications Niko Peltokangas visited Torino in the first few days of the Games to meet the Federation’s interest groups and cheer on the Finnish athletes. The duo also got to witness Finland taking gold in mogul skiing.

– In addition to the World University Games, the General Assemblies of FISU and our European umbrella organisation EUSA will also take place this year. We are currently discussing our goals for EUSA’s activities and board election with our partners, Secretary General Bolander says.

– The Games show how important the role of the Olympic Committee is for student high-performance sports on a world championship level. At the European Championships and other competitions that OLL is in charge of, we can also focus on low-threshold student sports alongside goal-oriented competing, says Head of Communications Peltokangas, who is also in charge of international affairs.

The World University Games are back in July with the summer games taking place in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany. The General Assembly of FISU will take place during the Games. This summer will also see European Universities Championships in around twenty different sports. The General Assembly of EUSA will take place in Croatia in October.