Janne Kinnunen, the Mayor of Mikkeli, is extremely pleased that the world’s largest orienteering relay, the Jukola Relay, is being held in the city under his leadership.
Kinnunen awaits the start of the Jukola Relay in high spirits as the event begins to make its presence felt in the city streets on Friday.
“Mikkeli is a vibrant summer city, and the event brings athletes, support teams, and spectators here. As they say, race day is always a celebration,” he remarks.
With nearly 52,000 residents, the regional center is no stranger to sports events, but this major gathering is warmly welcomed in the South Savo city.
Although the mayor won’t be participating in the orienteering himself, his schedule is packed throughout the Jukola weekend.
“The weekend will likely be filled with various VIP events, interviews, and time at the city’s own stand,” he explains.
As with all major events like the Jukola Relay, its significance goes beyond the sport itself. So what does this remarkable event mean for the city of Mikkeli?
“For the organizers, it’s a major financial and logistical undertaking. For Mikkeli as well, hosting such a large event is a significant investment, but it also has a substantial regional economic impact, so we are glad to be involved. In terms of tourism and visibility, Mikkeli will gain a lot of exposure through media and social media—that’s a huge plus,” Kinnunen says.
Kinnunen has personal experience with orienteering and holds the sport in high regard.
“For me, orienteering is a way to move through nature during hunting and fishing trips—it’s a basic life skill. I’ve never orienteered with a race bib, though,” he adds with a smile.
Caption: Even the mayor has a busy Jukola weekend ahead. Thanks to the event, Mikkeli will enjoy wide national and international visibility.
Text and photo: Tiina Ojutkangas
Translation: Sari Parkkinen