Drama continues to build off the slopes at the Olympics.
Finnish ski jump coach Igor Medved has been sent home from the 2026 Olympics after violating team rules surrounding alcohol consumption. It’s been reported that the incident took place outside working hours, but still broke the Finnish team’s guidelines.
The Finnish Olympic Committee said Medved, 44, has officially left Italy. Janne Hänninen, the FOC head of elite sports, added that they take rule violations “very seriously” and decided to act quickly.
“The priority is to ensure peace of mind for the athletes and the coaching staff,” Hänninen said.
Marleena Valtasola, the executive director of the Finnish Ski Federation, added that the issues will be discussed further after the Olympics in order to keep the athletes focused on their events. He will also remain under contract with the team.
“We have a solid staff in place and we are confident we can handle the situation in the best possible way,” Valtasola said.
Medved issued his own apology as well.
“I made a mistake and am very sorry,” Medved said. “I want to apologise to the entire Finnish team, the athletes and also the fans. I wish the team peace and quiet to focus on the Olympics.”
After representing Slovenia in international ski jumping from 2001-06, Medved was in his 16th year of coaching. In June 2024, he was chosen as the head coach of the Finnish men’s team, his first head coaching role abroad and only the second foreign person to hold the role.
Before his dismissal, Medved helped Finland to a sixth-place finish in the mixed team event Tuesday.
2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
Thus far, Finland has captured just one medal in Milano Cortina, a bronze from Eero Hirvonen in the Nordic Combined. Italy currently has the most medals with 15 and Norway has the most golds at seven.
The men’s individual large hill event is slated to take place on Saturday, where Finland will look to add a medal without Medved.
It’s unclear whether his dismissal will hold Finnish competitors back, but it certainly doesn’t help.
