Six experts have been appointed to the Finnish Olympic Committee. Jaana Jokinen, Jarno Koivunen, Robert Päkk, and Toni Roponen were appointed High Performance Managers; Suvi Pajunen was selected to oversee expert activities; and Laura Spiridovitsh was selected as an expert on training and leadership skills. 

 
High Performance Managers play a key role in supporting athletes’ wellbeing and daily life 

The fixed-term appointments of the Finnish Olympic Committee’s previous High Performance Managers came to an end this spring, and new High Performance Managers were selected through an open recruitment process.  

– We received nearly 100 applications for this demanding position, and several of the applicants met the criteria. The selection was made following a two-stage interview process, and the emphasis in the selection was on the group’s diverse expertise and background in various sports, an understanding of international performance standards, and high-performance sport, says Janne Hänninen, Director of High Performance Sport at the Olympic Committee.  

Jaana Jokinen holds a master’s degree in sports science and is a former elite judoka who, during her active career, represented Finland at the 2012 London Olympics and achieved a best-ever fifth-place finish at the World Championships. Since retiring from competition, Jokinen has served as the head of training for the Finnish Judo Federation and as the director of the training center at the Kolmen Kampuksen Urheiluopisto, among other roles. 

Jarno Koivunen is an experienced professional coach who has, among other achievements, trained Wilma Heltelä and Minna Nikkanen to reach the world elite in pole vaulting. Koivunen has also been in charge of elite sports at the Turku Region Sports Academy and served as the national pole vault coach for the Finnish Sports Federation. 

Robert Päkk holds a master’s degree in sports science and sports psychology. During his career, he has served as head of training for the Finnish Sailing and Boating Federation, lead expert in mental training for the Finnish Olympic Committee, and head of training for cross-country skiing for the Estonian Ski Association.  

Toni Roponen holds a master’s degree in sports science and has served as a personal trainer for several Olympic-level cross-country skiers, head coach of Finland’s national biathlon team, head coach of cross-country skiing at the University of Denver, and executive director of Tanhuvaaran Urheiluopisto. Since 2022, Roponen has served as a High Performance Manager at the Finnish Olympic Committee. 

In addition to Roponen, Jukka Rautakorpi will continue as a High Performance Manager at the Finnish Olympic Committee, as his term was not up for renewal this spring.

Sports physiotherapist Suvi Pajunen has been appointed as the new head of the expert services unit. Pajunen has previously served as the lead physiotherapist for the Olympic Committee, the lead physiotherapist for the Finnish national cross-country skiing team, and a sports physiotherapist at the Institute for Competitive and Elite Sports (Kihu).  

– I am very pleased with the recruitment process and the team that has been formed as a result. Finnish elite sports are undergoing a period of change, and a new future is now being built under the leadership of this team and in close collaboration with the various sports and the entire elite sports network, says Hänninen, Director of High Performance Sport. 

The primary responsibility of elite sports managers is to ensure the well-being and quality of life of Finnish elite athletes, to develop and support training processes, and to coordinate collaboration between different sports. The expert coordinator oversees the activities of the elite sports expert network and organizes the experts’ work to support athletes in their daily training and during the Olympics.  

Expertise in coaching and leadership paves the way for success 

Laura Spiridovitsh, who holds a master’s degree in sports science and economics, has been appointed to the newly created position of expert in coaching and leadership skills. She is transitioning to this role from her previous position as development manager for the training groups within the Finnish Figure Skating Association. Spiridovitsh is responsible for the management and development of the national network for coaching expertise, for the collaboration this entails with sports federations, sports colleges, and other key stakeholders, as well as for the overall coordination of leadership skills development. 

– Strengthening expertise in coaching and leadership is one of the key priorities of our new strategy. This is a vital task for the entire Finnish sports system, as high-quality coaching and strong leadership lay the foundation for athletes’ development, success, and a sustainable organizational culture. “It’s fantastic to have Laura join the team,” says Sports Director Liisa Ahlqvist-Lehkosuo. 

For further information:
Finnish Olympic Committee
Janne Hänninen, Director of High Performance Sport, +358 40 553 3388
Liisa Ahlqvist-Lehkosuo, Sports Director, +358 40 592 5109 

This text was translated using artificial intelligence.