Olympic victory has no ready-made recipe, but there is a plan, says Iivo Niskanen's coach Olli Ohtonen

Olympic victory has no ready-made recipe, but there is a plan, says Iivo Niskanen's coach Olli Ohtonen

The Finnish cross-country skiing team is embarking on a collective plan for success at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026. Coaches and experts gathered in Vuokatti to compare the best strategies towards achieving victory.

• Iivo Niskanen's primary event will be the 50 kilometers in classic style at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to his coach Olli Ohtonen.

• "There isn’t a ready recipe for Olympic victory, but everything is planned with this main event in mind," says Ohtonen.

• The coach discusses how important it is to listen to the athlete, especially for someone as experienced as Niskanen.

• Niskanen returned from the 2022 Beijing Olympics with personal gold, bronze, and silver in team sprint, proving his competitiveness remains sharp at the top level.

• After struggles with illness last season, which Ohtonen believes was partly due to bad luck, they are now refocusing on the journey towards the Olympics.

• Niskanen's recent absence from key competitions has ignited his drive to perform, with Ohtonen noting the importance of time management in training.

• The Norwegian and Finnish teams have come together for discussions on winning strategies during the ongoing Milano-Cortina week in Vuokatti.

• The upcoming Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.

This week’s discussions are a beneficial opportunity for coaches and experts to share insights and successful strategies for fostering high-performance athletes.