The Finnish Olympic Committee’s new Youth Committee held its first meeting during its inaugural weekend on March 21–22, 2026, at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. The committee consists of 16 young people of various ages who are active in sports and athletics in different roles. The young people come from different parts of Finland and have very diverse backgrounds.

The Youth Committee ensures that young people’s voices are heard in the Olympic Committee’s work in the fields of sports and physical activity. The committee is regularly consulted on various current issues. Through the Youth Committee, the Olympic Committee strengthens young people’s voices in sports and physical activity and promotes their participation.

During the kickoff weekend, the young people had the chance to get to know one another, learn about the Olympic Committee’s activities, receive training on advocacy, plan the committee’s first year of operations, and immediately begin their advocacy work. 

Riku Tapio, CEO of the Olympic Committee, visited the young people to talk about his own career and present the Olympic Committee’s activities.

“We need young people to be active participants and influencers in sports and physical activity. It’s important and valuable to offer them meaningful opportunities to have a say, so that we can hear their perspectives on our programs. It’s also fantastic to see that we’ve established a truly diverse and enthusiastic youth council as part of our organization,” Tapio comments.

Laura Kuusio, an expert on child and youth participation at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, gave an opening address to the young people about their right to be heard and to participate. Following Kuusio’s opening remarks, the young people explored issues related to influence in sports and physical activity under the guidance of Kaisa Larjomaa, Director of Community Relations. 

The Youth Committee had the opportunity to influence the process by commenting on the Sports Federation’s goals ahead of the parliamentary election, the digital recommendations for children’s participation in sports and physical activity, and the agreement on children’s sports. 

In addition, the Youth Committee organized itself over the weekend by electing the committee’s co-chairs and team captains for the various themes from among its own members. The youth voted Pyry Lampinen and Sara Säkkinen as co-chairs. Elias Halm, Lukas Joensuu, Roni Mustonen, Riikka Pulkkinen, and Saga Yli-Hannuksela Poutanen were elected as team captains. 

Halm and Pulkkinen are in charge of the team for promoting physical activity and recreational activities, Joensuu of the advocacy team, Mustonen of the sustainability team, and Yli-Hannuksela Poutanen of the elite sports team.

“All in all, the weekend was packed with activities. We got to know each other well and got off to a great start with the Youth Committee’s activities,” summarizes Pyry Laminen, the committee’s vice chair.