Surprise at Finnish National Team camp;
Isometse planning return
Translated and compiled by Brian Olsen
August 4, 2001
Kirvesniemi, Immonen and Kyr� arrive at Finnish National
team training camp, uninvited
(August 2, 2001) -- Sources: VG, Dagbladet, Langrenn.com
The "doping trio" of Harri Kirvesniemi, Janne Ommonen, and
Kari Pekka Kyr� surprised the coaches and skiers of the Finnish
National team by appearing at a team training camp in Vuokatti
this week. They were not invited. The biggest uproar was the
appearance of ex-National Team trainer Kari Pekka Kyr�, according
to Jan-Olaf Nas, the leader of the Finnish National Team.
"We are very disappointed that Kyr� has come to this training
camp. The team was both angry and disappointed," he said to
the Norwegian site, Langrenn.com.
Kyr� has been banned for life from the Finnish Ski Association
after the doping scandal that rocked the cross country ski
world at World Championships last February in Lahti, Finland.
"On Tuesday afternoon some representatives from the Ski
Association had a meeting surrounding the doping scandal,
about fifty kilometers from Vuokatti. When we returned to
Vuokatti, there Kyr� was, at the dinner table, together with
the skiers. This is very unfortunate," Nas continued.
"It was even worse: he came again on Wednesday, to lunch,"
Nas dejected. "Kyr�'s actions will be reported. This occurrence
will be dealt with by those at the top of the Association."
"The situation with Kirvesniemi is different because he
is the Karhu representative to the team. We will discuss this
with the management of Karhu about what he has done, though.
The problem is that Harri doesn't hold the confidence of any
of the skiers, and therefore it can be difficult to get work
done."
"We have nothing against Harri as a person," Nas countered.
In regards to Janne Immonen's "tour" through the training
camp: "He lives just a kilometer from where we are holding
the camp. We can't control the fact that he is training at
the same place. However, from now on he is not allowed to
train at the same time as the National Team when we are all
at the same place."
Nas made it clear that he had received reasonable signals
from higher up in the Finnish Ski Association about where
the line is, regarding ex-Team members who are currently under
a ban.
The Team will have the rest of the week to train in Vuokatti.
"Everyone is fresh and healthy. This was our last camp here
at home before the fall. Coming up, we will have an altitude
camp in Central Europe," Nas continued.
Isom�tse is in the ceramic trade, but is thinking about
returning for Val di Fiemme in 2003
(August 3-4, 2001) -- Source: Langrenn.com
Jari Isom�tse, one of the other Finnish skiers currently
under a two-year ban, has started a new and better life in
the ceramic business. Together with his wife, he has started
a ceramic shop named Bentik-frima, about seventy kilometers
from Helsinki. The shop is brand new, and he has much work
to do. Although he is concentrating on ceramics for the moment,
he still has time to go for skis in the hills.
In addition to his ceramic business, Isom�tse hopes to return
for the 2003 World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
A week before the races begin Isom�tse's ban will be lifted
- then, he can race.
"I hope and think that no one cares if I think about returning
for the World Championships in Val di Fiemme ," Isom�tse said
to the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.
Related links
|
