Finlandia for everyone
Sports is a requirement for a healthy lifestyle, but also much more. At best, it’s a balancing part of everyday life, a way of feeling connected to others and making life-long friendships and traditions.The great thing about mass sports events is that everyone can enjoy them, no matter the starting level or starting point. Finlandia Ski Marathon wants to enable everyone to enjoy the magic of winter sports.
A new step towards inclusivity are the para distances of Finlandia Ski Marathon. Laura Kittelä, Vice Chairman of Finlandia Ski Marathon, tells how the idea of Para distances arose: “We were wondering how we could reform and develop Finlandia Ski Marathon, and so arose the idea of para distances. Surely, we have had single para athletes before, but now for the first time they have their own distances. We want Finlandia Ski Marathon to be available for everyone, and this is one step toward that goal.”
Next year both standing skiers and skiers with visual impairment can take part in any distance, both classic style or skating. People who have registered for para distances start together with other skiers, but the results will be registered separately. Parking is possible at the para car park near the starting area. To take part in para distances one has to have an official national or international classification.
Winter sports is moving towards more inclusivity. Last winter, the para distances were transferred from the International Paralympic Committee underneath FIS. Kittelä sees this as a positive progression: “In the future, this can enable common World Cup races and even World Championships, which further increases the visibility and inclusivity of parasports.” She also thinks that it’s important that local sports events pay attention to inclusivity, for example by unobstructed access and by enabling everyone to participate. “We have a great atmosphere at Finlandia Ski Marathon and everyone is welcome, no matter the background!” Kittelä summarizes.
Finlandia Ski Marathon is primarily a sport event that everyone can take part in - there’s no need to stare at the results. Young skiers are welcome to participate: people under 16 years old have their own result sheet for the 20 km distance. None of the distances has any age limits, so everyone with enough skiing experience can participate. The sport clubs in charge of Finlandia Ski Marathon also work for the goal that every child has the chance to enjoy skiing: Both Lahti Ski Club (Lahden Hiihtoseura) and Hollola Athletics (Hollolan Urheilijat -46) organize high-quality ski schools for children. On top of that, Lahti Ski Club has a ski school group for special-needs children. Winter sports belongs to everyone, no matter the age or starting point.
This article is part of Finlandia Ski Marathon’s Behind the Scenes -series, which introduces the story and background of the skiing event. Building up some new structures, responsibility actions and a versatile network of partners are interwoven as themes in Finlandia Ski Marathon in 2024.
