Finland Sends Ski Jumping Head Coach Home Over Drinking at Milan-Cortina Olympics

Finland’s team competes in a ski jumping event. [Photo=Yonhap via Reuters]

Finland’s head coach for ski jumping has been sent home from the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics over an alcohol-related incident.

The Finnish Olympic Committee said it had ordered Igor Medved, the national team’s ski jumping head coach, to return to Finland.

According to Finnish outlet Helsinki Times, Medved violated team rules on drinking during the Games, and the Finnish Ski Association and the Finnish Olympic Committee decided to remove him under internal regulations.

Medved, who is from Slovenia, told local media he had been invited to a celebration for Slovenia’s mixed team ski jumping gold medal but said alcohol "ruined things." He apologized to athletes, coaches and fans.

The Finnish Ski Association said it will review the matter after the Olympics and take appropriate follow-up steps.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kang Sang Heon ksh@ajunews.com