Lauri Vuorinen's Surprising Summer Job with the Olympic Committee

Lauri Vuorinen, the renowned Finnish cross-country skier, has made headlines by accepting a summer position as a photographer for the Finnish Olympic Committee during the Paris Olympics. This unexpected move places Vuorinen in a unique role — wielding a camera and a press pass instead of competing credentials, a stark contrast to his participation in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics.

With a solid background in photography, Vuorinen has previously collaborated with Jesse Väänänen's firm and has dedicated five years to honing his skills behind the lens. Although he flirted with a career switch in 2023, he remains firmly committed to skiing, planning to compete through at least the Milan Olympics in 2026.

During the off-season, Vuorinen is meticulous in structuring his training regimen. He has even arranged his stay in Paris so that he is near a hotel equipped with a gym tailored for ski-specific workouts. He emphasizes the delicate balance he seeks to maintain between his photography obligations and his training requirements.

This new opportunity at the Olympics provides Vuorinen with the chance to witness live sports he has never seen before, such as equestrian events and boxing. He finds the enormity and complexity of the Summer Olympics truly awe-inspiring when compared to winter competitions.

Though his summer job is certainly demanding, Vuorinen enjoys the anonymity it brings; he is not often recognized by fellow athletes, allowing him to concentrate on capturing compelling photographs. Meanwhile, his partner, Johanna Matintalo, is in Northern Italy training alongside other elite Finnish skiers.