The Finnish Olympic Committee resigned from the 62-year tradition of the presence of the Evangelical-Lutera Church priest in representation. During the upcoming winter games in Italy, the clergyman will be replaced by a psychiatrist and psychologist.
The decision was criticised by Pastor Leena Huovinen, who had served as a “sportsman priest” for 20 years. In an interview with YLE, she stressed that the Committee had not consulted the Church, and that the decision "destroyed an crucial tradition for Finnish sport".
Huovinen, highly rated by athletes in a survey after the Paris Games, accompanied the Olympians not only during the competition, but besides in private life – gave vows and baptized children of the contestants. The tradition of spiritual support for Finnish athletes was initiated by pastor Martti Alaja in the 1960s.
