President Niinistö walked and roller-skated – how the future president practices their handshake?

Many former Finnish Presidents have encouraged people to exercise. According to Mio Kortelainen, President of OLL, setting a good example fits well into the role of President of the country.

“Although the key duties include matters like foreign policy, the President is in an ideal position to contribute to the social debate on Finns’ physical activity. We hope the next President will continue the tradition of encouraging people in Finland to be physically active,” says Kortelainen.

Taina Susiluoto, CEO and Secretary General of the Finnish Olympic Committee, the umbrella organisation of sports and exercise, emphasises the President’s role in improving crisis resilience.

“In recent years, we have been faced with major challenges, such and the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Our time is fraught with uncertainty, so it is important for the next President to improve Finland’s crisis resilience. The President should encourage everyone in Finland to get enough exercise and thereby maintain their functional capacity and that of their loved ones,” says Susiluoto.

Daily exercise in preparation for the main event

Pekka Haavisto (constituency association) relies on the tried and tested method of a previous President.

“I’d do what President J. K. Paasikivi did: an hour of walking or some other type of exercise every day. Checking his pocket watch, Paasikivi made sure he never slipped from his daily target.”

Alexander Stubb (National Coalition Party) also relies on the principle of daily exercise.

“An hour of exercise adds two hours of energy to your day.”

Jutta Urpilainen (Social Democratic Party) wants to reduce sitting and screen time.

“I prepare for the handshake marathon by going to the gym and doing Pilates. A stiff neck may hamper one’s handshake performance. Staring at your phone is not good for the neck, so I promise to take a critical look at my screen time and ensure that the long working days also include some exercise.”

Olli Rehn (constituency association) stresses the importance of sport-specific training.

“Your handshaking performance can only get better by shaking hands. This is something I’ve noticed during my campaign. As President, I will continue along the same lines. I could work on my left hand by shovelling snow or starting to play the guitar again, as you must have a balanced exercise regime. And the world of rock is just waiting for a new Albert Järvinen!”

No point changing a good routine

Although becoming President would surely change the candidates’ life, they plan to stick to their exercise routines.

“I go to the gym or do some other exercise two to four times a week. I want to set an example to others, and I’m also ready to talk about exercise in the future,” says Harry Harkimo (Movement Now).

“My handshaking stamina will be maintained with what I’ve been doing so far: exercise, healthy food and enough sleep and rest, the three pillars to good health. In terms of actual sports, I prefer running and skiing, going to the gym and sometimes swimming,” says former world champion in walking, Sari Essayah (Christian Democrats).

“Exercise is extremely important for everyone – for the President and the whole country. I go jogging rather regularly, and I promise to continue to do so as President. Maybe I would do what President Niinistö did and invite people to join me,” says Li Andersson (Left Alliance).

While President Kekkonen is remembered as a man who liked to ski and fish, President Niinistö – who’s been named as the honorary sports tutor of OLL – will be remembered as someone who considered exercise a way to bring people together, learned to know cities he visited on his roller-skates and went Sunday walking with citizens. It remains to be seen whether the next President will maintain their handshaking stamina by doing exercise with the people or perhaps students.

The questionnaire was sent to all candidates.