– I would never have been here without him. He has done so much for me, says Aleksi Leppa as the tears press on. He is on the shooting range during the Olympics in Paris. The Finn has just finished his first competition. But what was supposed to be a sports festival in the Olympic debut turned into an endless tragedy. SCOUT WITH MOURNING BANDS: Aleksi Leppa competed with mourning bands around his arm to honor his late father. Photo: Hans Solbakken / news – He would have been proud of me Together with his father, Aleksi Leppa has worked extremely hard to get to the Olympics. He is a former world champion twice, but it is the Olympics that has always been the goal of the duo Leppa. The zone that shoots. The father who trains. But on Friday, on the same day as the opening ceremony, Marko Leppa died on the plane on his way to Paris. He traveled with his family, but never woke up again after a seizure. Then 29-year-old Aleksi was already in place in France. Mora called to convey the news. DIED: Marko Leppa was a central man in the Finnish shooting community. Photo: Lassi Palo / The Finnish Shooting Association – It was a shock to get the message, it’s not easy… – Well, anyone who has lost someone can imagine that it was a very difficult moment. It was a very quiet moment, the Finnish sports director Ville Hayrinen tells news. Just two days later, Aleksi Leppa stood up on target 11 in the shooting hall in Châteauroux with a black mourning bandage around his arm. There he completed all 60 skates and even finished 22nd in his Olympic debut. Mixed feelings is a gross understatement. – It is the most difficult thing I have ever done. It is huge for me to be here, but dad is not here to see me shoot. I think he would have been proud, says Leppa to news. Tears roll down his cheek as he talks to news. The Finn tries to put into words the very difficult feelings. IN ACTION: Here Aleksi Leppa (in the middle) stands during the qualification for 10 meter air rifle on Sunday. Photo: Hans Andreas Solbakken / news – He did absolutely everything Aleksi’s father Marko Leppa was both trainer and manager for the zone. – He fixed everything for me. He dedicated his life so that I would succeed, says Aleksi. – Marko did everything, absolutely everything. He was a trainer, he organized competitions and he was an international referee in shooting sports. With his job, he was a well-known figure for young Finnish athletes in many sports. He has trained young men and women in the military for several decades, says Ville Hayrinen, head of sport for the Finnish national team. SPORTS MANAGER: Ville Hayrinen is responsible for Leppa during the Olympics. Photo: Hans Solbakken Hayrinen says that they are doing everything they can to help Aleksi in the continuation of the Olympics. Leppa also has her boyfriend and the rest of the family around her in the French Olympic city. – I get a lot of help there, and of course the rest of the team. It has been good, they have helped, says Leppa. – It is impressive that you are here today, how do you manage to stay focused? – Well, it’s not easy. I’m just trying. It has been a few tough days, and there is not much I can do other than take it day by day and try to focus on the shooting. PS! Leppa will be back in action on Wednesday. He will then qualify for the 50 meter rifle. Hello! During the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, I mainly work with shooting. So if you have a tip on things I should look into, I’d be happy to accept it. I am also very open to both criticism and praise. All you have to do is stick to it in an electronic letter. Published 28/07/2024, at 21.23
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The father died on the plane on the way to the Olympics – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
