President accords reception to Paralympic team

President Sauli Niinistö on Monday accorded a reception to the members of Finnish Paralympic team on their arrival at the Helsinki Airport from the outgoing PyeongChang Paralympic 2018 held in the Republic of Korea, said a press release.

“We warmly welcome you back home, thanks to the fact that you have represented the world’s happiest country in a wonderful way and gave us many moments of joy,” Niinistö said during the reception.

The Finnish Paralympic team won three medals -- one gold and two bronze -- in the competition.

Matti Suur-Hamari won the lone gold medal for Finland in the Men’s Snowboard Cross SB-LL2 event as well as one bronze medal.

“It’s a great performance,” the president told Suur-Hamari.

Cross-country skier Ilkka Tuomisto brought the other bronze for the country in the men’s vertical riders’ tight sprint race.

Minister for Sports and Culture Sampo Terho and leaders of the Finnish Paralympic Committee were also present at the airport on the occasion.