02.10.2025 On the second day of the ASPC Forum 2025 – Nordic Perspective in High Performance Sports, the focus shifted toward the athletes themselves—their lives, challenges, and the structures designed to support their journey. Excellence was explored not only as the pursuit of medals and victories but as a holistic balance of values, teamwork, education, and sustainable growth. Athlete-Centered Excellence The morning opened with Robert Kirmes, elite gymnast, and Anni Kärävä, elite freestyle skier, who offered personal and candid insights into life as high-performance athletes. Both highlighted the reality behind the medals: long training hours, mental resilience, sacrifices, and the constant effort to sustain motivation and focus. They described the discipline required to remain consistent at the top level, where every routine demands precision and every day requires renewed commitment. In addition, they reiterated that the pressures of international competition can be intense, but the ability to balance passion for sport with recovery, self-awareness, and perspective is what ultimately sustains an athlete’s career. Their reflections reinforced a powerful message: excellence in sport is not defined solely by results, but by the character and habits built along the way. This theme was further explored by Pavla Foley of the International Olympic Committee through the Athlete 365 initiative. She emphasized the importance of providing athletes with holistic support—covering not just physical performance but also mental health, financial literacy, education, and post-career planning. Her presentation underscored that modern athlete development must be multidimensional, addressing both current performance and future well-being. Player Development Program: Helsinki Basketball Academy One of the highlights of Day 2 was the session led by Henrik Dettmann (Basketball Finland) and Antti Koskelainen (Director, HBA). They presented the Helsinki Basketball Academy (HBA), founded in 2011 as a partnership between the Finnish Basketball Association and theCity of Helsinki. HBA integrates elite-level basketball training with academics, primarily through Mäkelänrinteen Lukio, ensuring that athletes grow both on and off the court. Dettmann and Koskelainen’s player-first philosophy prioritizes character, responsibility, and good habits over short-term results.“Nothing is more important than the players,” Dettmann stressed. Koskelainen added: “The way you are—that’s how you play. Basketball is a game of habits. The program has produced 49 graduates, with 16 going on to professional careers abroad and many more strengthening Finland’s national teams. HBA has become a model for how a small country can develop elite athletes while maintaining balance with education and personal growth. High-Performance Sports and Dual Career The afternoon sessions shifted the lens toward systemic support for athletes, particularly the challenge of balancing education and high-performance sport. Professor Sami Itani (Aalto University) shared case studies on how Finnish universities and elite sport centers collaborate to provide tailored pathways for athletes. His presentation highlighted the tension between national education laws, which prioritize equality, and the special services required by elite athletes. The key, he argued, is building structures that support without compromising fairness, ensuring athletes do not have to choose between sport and studies. Following him, Aku Nikander (University of Jyväskylä) presented a developmental evaluation model designed to measure how “athlete-friendly” higher education institutions truly are. His framework not only assesses existing support systems but also identifies where they fall short, pushing universities toward greater accountability in supporting dual careers. These sessions reinforced the idea that athlete success is not just an individual achievement but also a societal responsibility. By enabling athletes to pursue education alongside sport, Finland ensures long-term well-being and opportunities beyond competition International Perspectives Day 2 also benefited from insights drawn from global high-performance systems. Alexandre Guyon Des Digueres (INSEP) and Larbi Ben Boudaoud (French Judo Federation) pulled back the curtain on INSEP’s High-Performance Judo Program in France. Their success formula blends structured training, scientific evaluation, and a strong coaching philosophy — proving that victory is driven as much by preparation as by talent. In the final session of the day, James Brough (Canadian Sports Institute Ontario) presented the CSIO’s strategic approach to elevating people and performance. His presentation emphasized the integration of science, technology, and leadership development, noting that institutional frameworks are vital in building sustainable excellence. He presented the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, highlighting its role as one of Canada’s premier facilities for training, community engagement, and international competition. He showcased how the TPASC integrates elite performance services with accessible community programs, creating a model where high performance and grassroots participation thrive side by side. His message was clear: excellence is sustainable when top-level sport and community development grow together. By combining performance goals with athletecentered care, CSIO demonstrates how national institutes can play a transformative role in sports ecosystems. Our key takeaways from Day 2 Excellence is holistic: it goes beyond medals and is built on values, teamwork, and balance. Athletes thrive with support systems: mental health, education, and future planning are as important as physical training. Dual career pathways matter: enabling athletes to combine academics and sport ensures sustainable success. Models like HBA and INSEP show how strong partnerships between education and sport can elevate national performance. Excellence is shared: it is built not just by individuals but through cultures of respect, collaboration, and institutional support. Day 2 closed with a reminder that true excellence is a journey, not a finish line. It requires ambition and discipline but also values, systems, and communities that empower athletes to grow into not only champions on the field but also leaders in life By Helsinki Business College
