Finnish Team Doctor Comments on Iivo Niskanen’s Illness and Behind-the-Scenes World Championships Challenges

Finland and much of Europe are currently experiencing an influenza A epidemic, on top of the lingering presence of coronavirus and even the notorious mycoplasma. In order for athletes and support staff to remain healthy for the upcoming World Championships, Maarit Valtonen—who has served as the chief physician for Finland’s national skiing team at various high-level competitions—emphasized the importance of vigilance in a recent interview with Yle.

Both Finland’s top medal hope Iivo Niskanen and Perttu Hyvärinen have recently reported falling ill with influenza. In the battle for medals at the World Championships, maintaining good health is as crucial as physical and mental preparation.

Norwegian superstars Johannes Hösflot Kläbo and Therese Johaug revealed in early-year interviews with Norwegian media that they had chosen to largely avoid contact with their families in the months leading up to the championships. Johaug even mentioned to NRK that she was taking similar precautions for her under-two-year-old daughter, while Kläbo described his subsequent period after the Tour de Ski – remarking it would likely be the 55 most difficult days of his life.

According to Valtonen, Finnish skiers have been keeping to themselves before the championships. They have steered clear of large crowds and worn face masks when necessary, for instance while shopping, as the biggest risk of infection comes from close contact at home or during travel.

The article also highlights the risks posed by crowded indoor spaces, such as the dining halls in championship hotels. In previous World Championships in Planica, Finland stayed in its own hotel. However, for this championship the Finnish team is staying in a very busy hotel housing most other teams as well. Valtonen advises that masks are a must in the dining area and that efforts are being made to ensure the team’s dining space is both private and safe.

In a separate discussion, Janne Pesonen, the team doctor for the Finnish skiing contingent at the World Championships in Trondheim, noted that the current hotel arrangements have been very favorable in limiting large group exposures; the Finnish athletes share a dining space with only two other teams. Pesonen also mentioned that there have been no complaints from the Finnish athletes about their health situation, although the risk of infection does increase as recovery from intensive training begins.

Perttu Hyvärinen told Yle that he contracted the flu despite being vaccinated, a situation that appears to have also affected Iivo Niskanen. Pesonen explained that while vaccines provide the best available protection, variations in immunity and viral mutations can still lead to infections.

The article concludes with reflections on Iivo Niskanen’s exemplary personal hygiene and careful lifestyle choices, despite having experienced several bouts of illness in previous years. His dedication is highlighted as a model for avoiding infections amid the constant necessity of travel between competitions.

In a related commentary, former elite skier Aino-Kaisa Saarinen—who won 15 medals in major competitions—recollected her own cautious behavior during her career. She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has made all athletes even more careful, recalling an incident from the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics when she used rubber gloves while eating, a practice that even legendary biathlete Ole Einar Björndalen once found surprising.

Today, using face masks has become normal practice among top-level athletes, just as precautionary measures during flights were considered back in the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics when influenza cases were also noted.