Finnish Swimming Association to face backwash of European Championships

One swimmer sent home early, and even the Chairman’s conduct is inviting criticism

Pekka Aaltonen

Manu Mäntymäki

Jani Sievinen

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There is currently some white water within the Finnish Swimming Association (FSA), and it is to be blamed on alcohol. According to information received by Helsingin Sanomat, one swimmer was sent home before the end of the games because of his use of alcohol, and the behaviour of the FSA’s Chairman at the venue was also not above reproach.
      The leaders of Finland’s European Championship team will submit their report to the Board of the FSA in the middle of next month. The Board will then decide on further measures if any.
     
The European Swimming Championships in Madrid ended on Sunday May 16th. The team flew back to Helsinki the next day, on Monday.
      However, swimmer Manu Mäntymäki returned to Finland already on the Saturday before. Helsingin Sanomat was informed that the reason for Mäntymäki’s early return was his use of alcohol. Mäntymäki had been in the company of his cousin Jani Sievinen, a silver medallist at the games.
      According to the travelling instructions of the FSA, the use of alcohol is not simply forbidden, but the swimmers have committed themselves to behaving in a moderate and dignified manner. In Madrid it was the chief of coaching for the FSA Petteri Laine who decided where the limit of good conduct was.
      Yesterday, Laine did not wish to comment on the matter in public.
     
On the Wednesday night after Jani Sievinen had taken Finland’s second medal at the games, he and Mäntymäki attended - as the only two athletes - the dinner that had been arranged in honour of the medal. Other participants were the Chairman of the FSA Pekka Aaltonen, some of Sievinen’s sponsors, as well as both swimmers’ coach Esa Sievinen, who is also Jani Sievinen’s father. During the dinner the swimmers were reportedly drinking just water, and after the occasion they returned to the team’s hotel straight away.
     
The next day Mäntymäki was sent home, while Jani Sievinen was still to participate in the men’s 4x100m medley competition on the last day of the competition.
      Yesterday, Jani Sievinen did not wish to comment on the events, nor was he willing to say if he had used alcohol in Madrid. According to him, the use of alcohol was not mentioned at all during the games.
      Also Mäntymäki claims that he was not reprimanded in any way. Instead, he says it was his own wish to return home earlier, because he had no competitions left.
      Sievinen’s silver medal was the only swimming medal Finland won in Madrid, while Joona Puhakka grabbed both gold and silver in springboard diving competitions.
     
The behaviour of FSA Chairman Pekka Aaltonen at the Madrid Championships also invited some criticism. He was witnessed under the influence of alcohol at the games.
      While not denying that he had used some alcohol, Aaltonen points out that he was not a member of the team, and had paid for the trip himself. He also claims that he was not drunk and did not disturb anybody.
      The report on the 2004 European Championships will be submitted to the Board of the Finnish Swimming Association on June 17th.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Joona Puhakka emphatically wins European Championship title on one-metre springboard (13.5.2004)

Links:
  European Swimming Championships 2004, Madrid

Helsingin Sanomat