Finnish athletics community disputes ‘competition tourist’ label

The term ‘kisaturisti’ (competition tourist) has sparked significant controversy within the Finnish athletics community. The term is used pejoratively to describe athletes who participate in major competitions without a realistic chance of success, implying they are merely on a ‘tourist trip’.

During the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, athletes Topi Parviainen and Enni Nurmi addressed the label in interviews. Parviainen, who reached the finals in his championship debut, and Nurmi, who met the minimum requirements for her event, both sought to distance themselves from the term.

Riikka Pakarinen, chairperson of the Finnish Athletics Federation (SUL), defended the national team in a blog post. She emphasized that no spots were granted as gestures of goodwill, noting that every athlete on the team met the selection criteria set by European Athletics through rankings or qualifying standards, as well as meeting the Finnish Athletics Federation’s own minimum requirements.