Krista Pärmäkoski quits the Olympics early and returns home — coach Reijo Jylhä explains the reasons

The Finnish women’s cross‑country head coach Reijo Jylhä explained Krista Pärmäkoski’s decision to leave the Olympics after the team for the women’s relay was announced.

Experienced championship skier Krista Pärmäkoski told the team she was not available for Saturday’s 4 × 7.5 km women’s relay. The non‑availability was confirmed by head coach Reijo Jylhä.

“Krista herself said that she is not confirmed at the moment and wants to go home,” Jylhä said.

Jylhä said he had discussed the matter with Pärmäkoski after the women’s 10 km freestyle race. Pärmäkoski finished 25th in that race and left Val di Fiemme for home immediately on Friday.

The veteran athlete was seen wiping away tears after Thursday’s race. Pärmäkoski had suggested after that competition that it might have been her last championship race.

"There wasn’t enough time" to recover fully

Pärmäkoski’s final season has been difficult. In December she contracted coronavirus and had to abandon a training camp in Davos. The illness disrupted her preparations for the Olympics and she did not have enough time to regain full race fitness.

According to Jylhä, Pärmäkoski’s lungs recovered well from the infection, but metabolic factors made returning to full training harder.

“We first tried to get the lungs back in shape, which we succeeded in. But metabolism in training takes time before it operates at one’s usual level, and in that respect there certainly wasn’t enough time,” Jylhä said.

A disappointing end to a great career

Pärmäkoski had announced before the season that she would retire after this campaign. This season was her 18th at World Cup level and she has competed at five Olympic Games.

“Krista is also a realist. She has achieved and experienced so much and I believe she has people around her who can help her work through the disappointment,” Jylhä said.

Pärmäkoski has often anchored Finland’s women’s relay quartet. For tomorrow’s free technique relay Finland will start with Vilma Ryytty and anchor Jasmi Joensuu; Ryytty was the best Finnish skier in yesterday’s free technique race, placing 18th.

Johanna Matintalo and Kerttu Niskanen will ski the classical legs in the women’s 4 × 7.5 km relay on Saturday. The Olympic programme continues with the mixed and sprint events later in the fortnight and the Games conclude with the women’s 50 km classical on Sunday, 22 February.