The Finnish cross-country skiing star will become a father for the second time.

The 32-year-old Finnish cross-country skier Iivo Niskanen and his wife are expecting their second child. This time, the due date is well before the ski season.

“If all goes well, a new Niskanen baby will join the family before the snow falls,” writes Iivo Niskanen on his Instagram account.

Niskanen and his wife Saana became parents for the first time in December 2022. At the time, the Finnish athlete said that becoming a parent changed his life.

“It’s an amazing experience. It is a really important milestone in life. I’ve always dreamed about it. No one is born a father; it’s a role we must grow into,” Niskanen told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.

The article continues below.

National Team

Last year, Iivo Niskanen chose not to join the Finnish national team. This year, he returned to the squad.

However, the Finn will make his own plans until the start of the season and will only be part of the national team squad for competitions and championships.

“The agreement is that he will do his training and that he will join the squad from the World Cup opening in Ruka,” said Niskanen’s manager, Miro Rousko, during the Finnish national team announcement for the season 2024/25.

Also Read: Finnish national teams for season 2024/2025

Finnish National Teams Season 2024/2025

Finnish A National Team

Women

• Jasmi Joensuu
• Anne Kyllönen
• Jasmin Kähärä
• Johanna Matintalo
• Hilla Niemelä
• Kerttu Niskanen
• Eveliina Piippo

Men

• Niko Anttola
• Ristomatti Hakola
• Perttu Hyvärinen
• Emil Liekari
• Remi Lindholm
• Niilo Moilanen
• Joni Mäki
• Iivo Niskanen
• Arsi Ruuskanen
• Lauri Vuorinen

Staff

• Teemu Pasanen (Head coach and responsible coach for men)
• Ville Oksanen (Men’s coach – Sprint)
• Ville Maunuksela (Responsible coach for women)

Finnish B National Team

Women

• Vilma Ryytty
• Amanda Saari

Men

• Oskari Hökkä
• Miro Karppanen

Staff

• Jussi Piirainen (Responsible coach)

Finnish U23 National Team  

Women

• Fanny Kukonlehto
• Nora Kytäjä
• Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen

Men

• Ike Melnits
• Veeti Pyykkö
• Eero Rantala

Staff

• Jussi Piirainen (Responsible coach)

Finnish U20 National Team

Women

• Ella Noora Haapalehto
• Nelli-Lotta Karppelin
• Silva Kemppi
• Miina Mäki-Korte
• Selene Rossi

Men

• Johannes Alarotu
• Eino Haara
• Anton Packalén
• Leevi Passila
• Akseli Pitkänen

Staff

• Jaakko Halonen (Responsible coach)

Finnish U18 National Team

Women

• Meri-Tuuli Hane
• Emilia Helmi
• Lotta Järvinen
• Moona Kauppinen
• Hanni Koski
• Siiri Lindholm
• Minttu Meriläinen
• Nelli Mäenpää
• Lumia Nurmela
• Olivia Puranen
• Maria Tasa
• Eveliina Vesterinen
• Iiris Voutilainen
• Nella Voutilainen

Men

• Aatos Hämäläinen
• Aleksi Jalasaho
• Oskari Juures
• Konsta Juutinen
• Anton Kemppi
• Valtteri Kinnunen
• Juho Koskinen
• Kasper Kuorinki
• Niilo Linnamaa
• Väino Länsiluoto
• Santtu Mylläri
• Kasperi Rinta-Jaskari
• Iiro Säisä
• Kalle Tossavainen
• Eemil Veikkola
• Topias Vuorela
• Lauri Sakki

Staff

• Netta Tuhkanen (Responsible coach)
• Roope Haapakangas (Coach)

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click here to read more about it.