Vilma Nissinen compares Vantaa to Mogadishu — Ski federation rejects comment, athlete apologises

Vilma Nissinen has had a very strong season on the Tour de Ski and is firmly in contention for an Olympic spot. On Thursday she provoked criticism after the 20 km pursuit when, during a mixed-zone interview, she compared Hakunila in Vantaa — the site of a coming Scandinavia Cup weekend — to Mogadishu.

Nissinen, 28, who represents Vuokatti Ski Team Kainuu and lives in the Helsinki area, said she would “a hundred times rather race here (at the Tour de Ski) than in Finland’s Mogadishu,” a remark published by tabloids and widely circulated in Finnish media. Mogadishu is the capital of Somalia and many governments, including Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, advise against travel there because of security risks.

Her comment drew sharp rebukes. Vantaa’s mayor Pekka Timonen called the comparison an outdated stereotype and said public figures should choose words carefully. Vantaa and its sports organisations — including Vantaan Hiihtoseura and Hakunilan urheilupuisto — are important partners for the national federation.

The Finnish Ski Association issued a statement distancing itself from Nissinen’s remarks, saying the comment does not represent the association’s values and that it does not accept racism in any form. The federation and Nissinen have already discussed the matter; the association noted the comments’ potential interpretations and emphasised its ongoing partnership with Vantaa-based organisers.

Nissinen apologised, saying her immediate post-race comment was inappropriate and she offered a sincere apology. She also said she considers the federation’s statement a sufficient response at this stage.

Women’s national team coach Reijo Jylhä, contacted at a training camp in Val di Fiemme, said he had only seen headlines and had not yet discussed the matter in depth with Nissinen. He said they would seek a constructive solution.

The article notes Nissinen’s season highlights — 18th in the 10 km in Davos and 20th in Trondheim — and that she sits 23rd overall and is the fourth-best Finnish skier in the Tour de Ski standings. It also reminds readers that the coming Scandinavia Cup event in Hakunila is FIS’s second-tier competition below the World Cup and that Vantaa will host races despite limited natural snow.

The piece closes with a reminder that Yle will broadcast the Tour de Ski finale weekend, including Saturday’s classic sprints and Sunday’s Alpe Cermis 10 km freestyle climb.