Career | Perttu Hyvärinen believes it is not normal what his loved ones had to do for him

Cross-country skier Perttu Hyvärinen has officially ended his athletic career this spring, marking a significant transition after 15 years of dedicated training. As the first day of summer arrives in Kuopio, this date traditionally signifies the opening of a new training season for Hyvärinen, but now represents a new chapter beyond competitive skiing.

Throughout his career, Hyvärinen committed fully to the sport, yet he consistently maintained that his life was not exclusively built around achieving results. Now, as he steps away from professional skiing, he contemplates the true cost of success and wonders if greater achievements would have justified the sacrifices made.

Hyvärinen opens the trunk of his white SUV, retrieving a shoulder bag. The conversation touches upon the intense demands of professional sports and the personal toll it can take, prompting reflection on the balance between ambition and personal well-being. He suggests that while he gave his all to skiing, the pursuit of even greater success might have come at a price he is now reassessing.