Martti Raju, the NOC sports director, believes that the size of the Estonian Olympic team is optimal considering the current circumstances. “ We could be satisfied with such a line-up, because four years ago at the Pyeongchang Olympics we were represented by the athletes from six different fields, this time Estonia is making its debut in freestyle skiing. The 26 athletes also ensure a sufficient number of support team, as the team is divided between three Olympic villages, and we can provide the necessary support to the athletes. The measures against COVID-19 are even tougher than at the Tokyo Olympics, but we are ready for that. The organisers and the IOC have assured us they will do their best for the Olympic Games to be conducted safely,“ Raju explained.
The Estonian national team for the 2022 Beijing Olympics approved by the NOC executive committee:
Freestyle skiing: Kelly Sildaru
Figure skating: Eva-Lotta Kiibus, Aleksandr Selevko
Nordic combined: Kristjan Ilves
Speed skating: Marten Liiv
Cross-country skiing: Aveli Uustalu, Kaidy Kaasiku, Keidy Kaasiku, Mariel Merlii Pulles, Tatjana Mannima, Alvar Johannes Alev, Henri Roos, Marko Kilp, Martin Himma
Alpine skiing: Kaitlyn Vesterstein, Tormis Laine
Biathlon: Johanna Talihärm, Regina Oja, Susan Külm, Tuuli Tomingas, Kalev Ermits, Kristo Siimer, Raido Ränkel, Rene Zahkna
Ski jumping: Artti Aigro, Kevin Maltsev
The number of athletes in Estonian national teams during the previous Winter Olympic Games:
1992 Albertville – 20 athletes
1994 Lillehammer – 26 athletes
1998 Nagano – 20 athletes
2002 Salt Lake City – 17 athletes
2006 Torino – 26 athletes
2010 Vancouver – 30 athletes
2014 Sochi – 25 athletes
2018 Pyeongchang – 22 athletes
Tokyo Summer Olympic Games will start on 4 February and will last until 22 February. Olympic broadcasts in Estonia can be viewed on TV on Kanal 2, Duo 5 and Duo 7 as well as on the news portal Postimees.ee. Information about the Estonian national team is available at https://www.eok.ee/peking-2022