Sports - thisisFINLAND

Having fun on the water in Finland

People in Finland love spending time outdoors. Finland’s 188,000 lakes, hundreds of rivers and long coastline offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature. The Finnish Lake District is the largest such area in Europe.

Life & society Wellbeing

In Finnish culture, hobbies get pride of place

Hobbies offer a way for people to enrich their lives – and even enhance the lives of others in the process. Joining a hobby is also a way to meet new Finnish friends.

Life & society Sports

Finnish racecar drivers excel at acceleration

Why does Finland produce so many great racecar drivers? We talk to two of them to find out: Emma Kimiläinen and William Alatalo.

Most Olympic medals total, per capita (303 in all) of any nation

Life & society Education

Annual track event at Olympic Stadium gathers Swedish-speaking kids from all over Finland

At the Relay Carnival, thousands of children wearing their school colours chant and cheer for their classmates to run faster. Brightly dressed cheerleaders with colourful pom-poms compete for attention, contributing to the festive atmosphere.

Life & society Sports

Finnish team aims to share European football glory

In the lead-up to the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, we chat with rising star Elli Pikkujämsä about the Finnish national squad’s capacity to deliver some surprises.

700,000

Amount of trips Finns make to Lapland each year

Source: Statistics Finland

Life & society Webpick

Finland offers excellent challenges for runners

A number of factors make Finland a great place for runners. The website Run in Finland lists the country’s most exciting international running events for you and your friends.

Life & society Sports

Good chance of gold as Finnish Olympic and Paralympic athletes head for Beijing

With the 2022 Winter Olympics happening in China from February 4 to 20 and the Paralympics from March 4 to 13, here’s a quick summary of what to expect from the Finnish team, from snowboarding to men’s and women’s ice hockey and more.

Life & society Sports

Finnish American helps Finland lead in cheerleading

World champion cheerleader Kayleigh Karinen had already lived in the US, Chile and Spain when she decided to settle down in Finland, the country of her ancestors.