Finland is a country in love with sport and the Olympic Games, the smallest country (in terms of population) to have hosted them (Helsinki 1952) and also the European country where the most sport is practised: 71% compared with 38% for the EU average (Eurobarometer). One hundred years ago, in Paris in 1924, Finland came second in the medals table with 14 gold, 13 silver and 10 bronze medals: the star was its own Paavo Nurmi, the king of middle-distance athletics. However, the closest Olympic precedents – only two bronze medals at Tokyo 2020, last summer’s gold at Beijing 2008 – and the country’s population of just five and a half million suggest that Finland could also be medal-less at Paris 2024. The Winter Olympics medal tally, on the other hand, is far more conspicuous, albeit significantly lower than that of neighbours Norway (especially), but also Sweden. Finnish schools are considered to be among the best in the world in terms of didactic learning and educational atmosphere, with a much stronger focus on helping those in need than on merit. The philosophy that “for all” is better than “for the best” is perhaps not limited to schools, but has also spread to the concept of sport and physical education? In any case, Finland stops to watch the javelin throw or the heroics of the national ice hockey team, so don’t think the Finns aren’t big fans of their teams!
