As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics got underway in northern Italy from 6 – 22 February 2026, Finland sent a strong and diverse team of athletes to compete across nine sports — from Nordic skiing and biathlon to snowboarding and ice hockey.
🇫🇮 Team Overview
Finland’s Olympic squad comprises 103 athletes (56 men and 47 women), representing one of the Nordic region’s most respected winter sport nations. The delegation spans nine disciplines: alpine skiing, biathlon, cross-country skiing, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and snowboarding.
With centuries of winter sports tradition, Finland heads into Milano Cortina with a medal target of approximately six podiums, a goal that reflects strength in endurance events, technical events like ski jumping and the perennial power of its ice hockey teams.
Flagbearers & Opening Ceremony
Finland’s flag was proudly carried into the opening ceremony by Krista Pärmäkoski, a decorated cross-country skiing veteran, and Mikko Lehtonen, a key presence on Finland’s men’s ice hockey team. The Finnish team also drew international attention with its ceremonial outfits, designed by Finnish sportswear partner Luhta. The uniforms, inspired by the colours and light of Finnish Lapland, were debuted at a special fashion showcase in Milan, blending national identity with Olympic style.
Key Sports & Athletes to Watch
⛷️ Cross-Country Skiing & Nordic Events
Finland has long been a powerhouse in cross-country skiing. Leading athletes such as Krista Pärmäkoski and the Niskanen siblings (Iivo and Kerrtu) are expected to be among the team’s strongest medal contenders, bringing experience and endurance to events ranging from sprint races to classic distance competitions.
🥌 Biathlon & Ski Jumping
Finland’s biathlon squad (five men and five women) combines precise shooting with tactical skiing — a formula that has produced strong results on the World Cup circuit. The ski jumping and Nordic combined teams blend seasoned competitors with rising young talents aiming for breakthrough performances.
🏒 Ice Hockey — Finland’s Big Medal Hope
Ice hockey is one of Finland’s flagship Olympic sports, and the men’s and women’s teams arrive in Milan with high expectations.
Men’s Ice Hockey
Finland’s men’s team is stacked with NHL talent, including elite forwards and defenders such as Mikko Rantanen, Sebastian Aho, Kaapo Kakko, Mikael Granlund and more, reflecting a deep blend of skill, speed and experience from leagues around the world. In goal, Finland adjusted its roster ahead of the Games by adding Joonas Korpisalo of the Boston Bruins after an injury to another goaltender — ensuring strong competition and choice between the pipes.
Women’s Ice Hockey
The Finnish women’s team, among the medal favourites based on recent World Championship results, faced a public health challenge early in the Games when a norovirus outbreak forced the postponement of its opening match against Canada. Despite the setback, the squad remained optimistic about its subsequent contests against top rivals like the United States, Czechia and Switzerland.
🏂 Freestyle & Snowboarding
Freestyle skier Anni Kärävä, known for her big-air and slopestyle prowess, is among the standout athletes in aerial skiing disciplines and looks to build on past World Cup success.
⛸️ Figure Skating
In figure skating, Finland is represented by heroes like Iida Karhunen, who secured her Olympic spot through international competition success and national titles, showcasing Finland’s tradition of strong technical performance on the ice.
Finland’s Olympic Goals
Finland brings to Milano Cortina a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars, unified by a strong winter sports culture and rich Olympic history. With ambitions across individual and team events — especially in cross-country skiing and ice hockey — the Finnish team aims to leave a lasting mark at these Games.
Read more on Olympics.com
