Finland's SM-week multi-sport event to conclude after a decade

The decade-long run of Finland's SM-week, a multi-sport event showcasing a wide array of Finnish sports, is coming to an end. The Finnish Olympic Committee announced the decision, citing the event's significant scale and resource demands as primary factors. "The diversity of Finnish sports is incredibly great, and this has been a truly significant journey, especially for smaller sports," said event producer Päivi Harri to Yle. Harri explained that the event is no longer aligned with the Olympic Committee's core strategy and has become too demanding to execute.

The SM-week, first held in Tampere in 2016, has provided a platform for athletes in numerous niche sports to compete for national championships. This year's event in Espoo featured 20 sports, including 3x3 basketball, powered paragliding, and truck pulling. Last year, the event set a new attendance record, drawing an estimated 16,000 people.

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The diversity of Finnish sports is incredibly great, and this has been a truly significant journey, especially for smaller sports.

While the current format is concluding, organizers are exploring alternative models. Harri suggested the possibility of organizing several smaller events throughout the year. This approach could potentially offer a more sustainable way to support and promote the wide spectrum of Finnish sports without the logistical and financial burden of a single, large-scale event.

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This is perhaps not an event that fits the current core strategy of the Olympic Committee. It is also perhaps too heavy to implement.