Feb. 12 (UPI) — Finland sent ski jumping coach Igor Medved home from the 2026 Winter Olympics because of alcohol use, officials announced Thursday.
“Medved has traveled home today,” Janne Hanninen, the head of elite sports at the Finnish Olympic Committee, said in a statement. “This is about alcohol-related issues.
“We take rule violations very seriously and will act quickly in the matter.”
Finland failed to reach the podium through the first three ski jumping medal events held at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Men’s and women’s large hill training started Thursday. The men’s and women’s large hill individual finals will be ehdl Saturday and Sunday, respectively, in Trento, Italy.
The men’s super team final, the last medal event of the ski jumping competition, will be held Monday.
“I made a mistake and am very sorry,” Medved said in his apology. “I want to apologize to the entire Finnish team, the athletes and also the fans. I wish the team peace and quiet to focus on the Olympics.”