Six athletes given the green light for the Olympics

by Ingeborg Scheve/Leandro Lutz • 07.10.2025

Photo: Thomas Bachun/GEPA Pictures/Bildbyrån

Six Finnish athletes – one biathlete and five cross-country skiers – have already been selected for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy.

The Finnish Olympic Committee has made its first nominations for the 2026 Olympic Games, confirming that six athletes have secured their spots for the highlight of the winter season.

Among the cross-country skiers, Jasmi Joensuu, who won the overall Sprint World Cup, is confirmed for the 2026 Olympics. Joining her are Iivo Niskanen, Kerttu Niskanen, Krista Pärmäkoski, and Lauri Vuorinen.

The biathlete Suvi Minkkinen, who had her breakthrough last winter, has also been given the green light for the Olympics.

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Already qualified

“The criteria behind the selection of these athletes are that they have proven they possess the potential to compete for medals against the best in the world. As of now, the situation for all the selected athletes allows us to include them in the Olympic team already,” said Janne Hänninen, Sports Director of the Finnish Olympic Committee, in a statement.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Italy from February 6 to 22.

Norway may lose a spot

There are a total of 148 quota places for cross-country skiing, allocated equally between women and men. On the women’s side, all spots have been distributed, and Norway will be allowed to enter eight female skiers.

However, on the men’s side, FIS has held back ten spots.

The reason is that several smaller nations have requested an extension of the qualification deadline for the Olympics. The new deadline is set for mid-January, meaning Norway will not know until then whether it will receive the final Olympic quota spot.

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