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Finland’s Olympic ski jumping coach is in hot water after allegedly violating team rules during the games. Igor Medved was sent home from the 2026 Milan Cortina games due to “alcohol-related issues.”
The Finnish Olympic Comittee has confirmed the incident, as The Guardian reports. “Medved has traveled home today,” explained Janne Hänninen, the Finnish Olympic Committee’s head of elite sports. “This is about alcohol-related issues. We take rule violations very seriously and will act quickly in the matter.”
Hänninen would not clarify the details of Medved’s violation any further, merely adding that “The priority is to ensure peace of mind for the athletes and the coaching staff.”
What’s more, the coach’s fate after the games appears to be unclear. “We have decided that Medved will not participate in the Olympics. The other issues will be discussed with him after the Games,” said Finnish Ski Federation executive director Marleena Valtasola. “Now it is essential to safeguard the athletes’ concentration and restore serenity to the team and for Igor.”
Finland has yet to medal in any of the three ski jumping events that have so far been completed at the 2026 Games. In mixed team, Finland placed sixth overall, in an event where Slovenia, Norway and Japan came in first, second and third, respectively.
Medved, for his part, expressed contrition over the alleged behavior, which The Guardian asserts occurred outside working hours. “I made a mistake and am very sorry,” he said. “I want to apologize to the entire Finnish team, the athletes and also the fans. I wish the team peace and quiet to focus on the Olympics.”
Medved’s ejection is not the first setback to befall the ski jumping event, and certainly not the most bizarre. Earlier in the Games, Olympic ski jumpers were accused by German tabloid Bild of injecting paraffin or hyaluronic acid into their penises in order to jump farther. The rumor, dubbed “penisgate” by press, became such a talking point that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was forced to address the issue in a press conference. However, to date, there appears to be no hard evidence backing up the claims.
