Finnish ski jumping coach Igor Medved expelled from Olympics for violating team rules
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Finnish ski jumpers will have to face the rest of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Games without coach Igor Medved.
The coach’s expulsion from the Games centered on what officials described Thursday as an alcohol-related problem.
The Finnish Olympic Committee added that Medved’s behavior violated the team’s conduct policies.
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The Olympic rings stand near Anterselva di Sopra, which will host the biathlon competition at the Sudtirol Arena Alto Adige, as part of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Anterselva Di Mezzo, Italy, on January 31, 2026. (Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)
Other details about the incident that led to Medved being sent home were not immediately available.
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Finland’s Wille Karhumaa jumps during the ski jumping test round of the Gundersen normal hill/10km individual Nordic combined event at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium in Predazzo during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on February 11, 2026. (Javier Soriano/News via Getty Images)
“Medved traveled home today. The matter concerns issues related to alcohol consumption. We take violations of team rules very seriously and react quickly to the situation,” Finnish team manager Janne Hanninen said in a statement.
Medved admitted that he had made a mistake and apologized, saying: “I made a mistake and I am very sorry. I want to apologize to the entire Finnish team, to the athletes and also to the fans.”
Ilkka Herola of Team Finland jumps in the ski jumping test round of the Gundersen Nordic Combined Individual Normal Hill/10 kilometer at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Predazzo Ski Jump Stadium on February 11, 2026, in Val di Fiemme, Italy. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Finnish Ski Federation CEO Marleena Valtasola said the organization will review Medved’s position ahead of future Olympics.
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“An unpleasant situation has arisen: alcohol has been consumed in violation of team rules,” Valtasola said. “We have decided that Medved will not participate in the Olympic Games. The other issues will be discussed with him after the Games. Now it is essential to safeguard the concentration of the athletes and restore serenity to the team and Igor.
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“We have a strong staff and we are confident we can handle the situation in the best way possible.”
Medved was appointed head coach of the Finnish national team in June 2024.
The News contributed to this report.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for News Digital.