Athletes of Finland and the Finnish Olympic Committee have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The aim is to establish regular and close cooperation between the parties to strengthen athletes’ position, participation and voice in Finnish sport.

In the cooperation agreement, Athletes of Finland and the Finnish Olympic Committee recognise each other as key organisations in representing athletes and developing high-performance sports in Finland. As an independent athletes’ association, Athletes of Finland represents athletes’ interests and gives them a voice, while the Finnish Olympic Committee represents sports federations and organised sport more broadly.

Athletes of Finland continues to strengthen its position as a recognised organisation within Finnish sport.

The cooperation agreement creates an even stronger foundation for ensuring that athletes’ perspectives are taken into account in the preparation and decision-making processes that affect them. In the agreement, the parties commit to regular communication and meetings. The scope of the cooperation includes, among other things, laws, regulations, rules, agreements, and policies that affect athletes’ position, as well as the conditions for athletes’ daily lives, livelihoods, and well-being, and the structures for athlete representation and opportunities for participation. The parties also aim to promote the common themes they have identified in collaboration with other stakeholders.

Teemu Ramstedt, Chari of Athletes of Finland, is pleased with the signing of the agreement:

– This agreement is an important step toward strengthening the position of athletes. It is significant that Athletes of Finland and the Finnish Olympic Committee are establishing lasting structures for their collaboration. Our goal is for athletes’ voices to be heard through an independent athletes’ association whenever decisions affecting their position and daily lives are made.

Riku Tapio, CEO of the Finnish Olympic Committee, also emphasises the importance of cooperation:

– Athletes are at the heart of sport, and it is important that we engage in active collaboration and dialogue with them, thereby creating opportunities to set shared goals and take joint action to achieve them. Together, we will win!

The agreement was signed by Teemu Ramstedt, Chair of Athletes of Finland, and Riku Tapio, CEO of the Finnish Olympic Committee, on behalf of their respective organisations.