Finnish favorite athletes now come from pole vaulting and basketball. While skiing remains popular among Finns, skiers are no longer at the forefront of sports preferences.

Iivo Niskanen was unable to add to his Olympic medal tally this winter, which is reflected in his popularity. Pole vaulter Wilma Murto and basketball player Lauri Markkanen have now taken the top spots, according to the annual survey conducted by the sponsorship and communication research firm Sponsor Insight, which explored Finns’ favorite athletes.

Among adults aged 18 and over, the favorites in individual sports are ranked as follows: Murto, Nooralotta Neziri, Kalle Rovanperä, Iivo Niskanen, and Alisa Vainio. Skiing star Niskanen was at the top last year, while endurance runner Vainio made the most significant leap, rising 37 places.

In team sports, the most popular athletes are Markkanen, Mikael Granlund, Alexander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, and Teemu Pukki.

Other notable risers alongside Vainio include Eero Hirvonen, Saga Vanninen, Silja Kosonen, Juuse Saros, and Suvi Minkkinen.

The most popular sports among Finns are ice hockey, athletics, skiing, biathlon, and football. Nordic combined ranks sixth, a position it hasn’t held since 2010.

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