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School of Business has a great Olympic representation at the Paris Olympics

As many as four Aalto University students competed in the Paris Olympics 26.7.–11.8.2024
Painija, kauppatieteiden yo Arvi Savolainen
Arvi Savolainen. Photo: The Finnish Olympic Committee/Lauri Vuorinen

At the Paris Olympics, the Finnish team consisted of 57 athletes, three of whom study at the School of Business: javelin thrower Lassi Etelätalo, Greco-Roman wrestler Arvi Savolainen, and ILCA 7 sailor Kaarle Tapper. Nacra 17 sailor Akseli Keskinen, who competed with Sinem Kurtbay, studies at the School of Engineering. They are all pursuing what is known as a dual career, combining elite sports and studies.

This time, the Finnish team will miss out on medals at the Olympics if the situation does not change during the last weekend of the Games. Kaarle Tapper was forced to miss the Olympic regatta due to illness. He was 23rd in the race after four starts. Arvi Savolainen won his first match, but lost the second match to the Cuban world champion after a tight battle. Lassi Etelätalo threw the javelin in the final to finish eighth and sailor Akseli Keskinen together with helm Sinem Kurtbay sailed to 7th place.

Keihäänheittäjä, kauppatieteiden yo Lassi Etelätalo
Lassi Etelätalo. Photo: The Finnish Olympic Committee/Jesse Väänänen

‘To be selected for the Olympics is in itself a stunning thing and shows the quality of the athlete's work. Two of Aalto's students finished in the top eight in their sport, which is remarkable.’ 

‘At Aalto, we will continue to develop dual careers so that our top athletes have the best possible conditions to combine their studies and sports careers,’ says Aalto's Urhea representative, Professor of Practice Sami Itani from the Department of Management Studies at the School of Business.

Combining an athletic career with studying at Aalto

Aalto University is committed to helping students belonging to the Metropolitan Area Sports Academy Urhea combine studies with sports and to considering the particular needs and challenges of a...

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