Hymyilevä Hilkka Riihivuori seisoo Tammerkosken sillalla Tampereella punaiseen huppariin pukeutuneena.

Olympia Medals to Be Awarded in Tampere This Summer!

The international IVV Olympiads, held every two years, The international IVV Olympiads, held every two years, will land in Tampere this coming August. Everyone will have the opportunity to earn their very own Olympia medal.

The four-day event includes the official sports of walking, cycling, and swimming. In Tampere, canoeing and orienteering will also be part of the program. You can earn a medal by participating in just one official event on one day, but the schedule is designed to allow participation in multiple events in a single day.

Isn’t it a wonderful idea to earn an Olympic medal at this age!

A vibrant 84-year-old woman in a green jacket stands with Nordic walking poles in a forested setting.
Kerttu Blom goes Nordic walking regularly and is eagerly preparing for the IVV Olympiad.

Energetic 84-year-old Kerttu Blom is enthusiastically preparing for the Olympiads. She walks a few kilometers every day and takes part in the weekly Nordic walking sessions organized by the Senior Club for Entrepreneurs.

“Walking is a great way to maintain fitness. Staying active is important to me, which is why I exercise regularly. The IVV Olympiads is a relaxed and social event that I’m happy to take part in. It’s a great idea to earn an Olympia medal at this age!” Kerttu smiles as she speaks, already looking forward to the August event.

Observing nature makes walking even more rewarding

An elderly man in a blue sports shirt walks with Nordic poles along a forest trail on a spring day.
Martti Polvinen is an experienced marcher and longtime member of Suomen Latu – joining in once again!

Martti Polvinen, a 91-year-old veteran member of Suomen Latu, also plans to join the walking event. Martti participated in the IVV Olympiads back in 1997, held during the Suomen Latu camp days in Vierumäki.

“I’ve also taken part in Vaasan Marssi about ten times, often walking the 30-kilometer distance. When you walk a few kilometers with others, you quickly get to know people and make friends.” Martti says.

Nowadays, Martti starts his day with a 3 to 5 kilometer walk and goes bowling weekly.

“My walking pace has slowed with age, but I still greatly enjoy observing nature, listening to the birds, and watching the seasons change.”

Physical activity has been both a beloved job and a hobby – and I have no intention of giving it up

A smiling Hilkka Riihivuori stands on a bridge over the Tammerkoski River in Tampere, dressed in a red hoodie.
Hilkka Riihivuori by the Tammerkoski River in Tampere – Olympic medalist and advocate for physical activity.

Four-time Olympic medalist and skiing queen Hilkka Riihivuori, 72, is also enjoying her retirement. However, this Tampere-based former fitness instructor hasn’t slowed down—she still leads exercise groups.

“Exercise is a way of life for me. It has been both a beloved profession and hobby, and I have no intention of giving it up. Competitive sports gave me many wonderful experiences, but everyday activities are also rewarding in many ways.”

Although Hilkka already has Olympic medals, she plans to add another one this summer by participating in the IVV Olympiads. Her goal is to inspire others to join in as well.

“People who exercise tend to have a positive outlook on life, which is another reason to get involved. It’s good company to be in!” Hilkka chuckles and encourages everyone to join the IVV Olympiad this August.

I want a medal – and I’m going to challenge my friends to join too!

Two women sit on a dock by the sea in winter clothing, Tuire Tyllilä on the left and Emmi Sarvijärvi on the right – both smiling as they raise their kuksas.
Tuire Tyllilä (left) from Hiking Travel and Emmi Sarvijärvi (right) were already getting excited about the canoeing at the venue last winter.

Emmi Sarvijärvi, a 24-year-old wilderness guide student and newly elected city council member in Ylöjärvi, also plans to take part in the canoeing event at the IVV Olympiads.

“But I definitely want to earn that Olympia medal, so I’m planning to take part in the swimming event as well. I’m also going to challenge my friends to join this fun summer event!”

The IVV Olympiad is a physical activity event for the whole family and all ages.

Two young boys climb a tree on a rocky shore by the sea, with blue sky and ocean in the background.
Samuel and Tuomas Saarinen are on their way to earn their own Olympic medals.

Brothers Samuel (11) and Tuomas (9) Saarinen from Järvenpää are also heading to the IVV Olympiads. Both boys are active in sports: Samuel plays soccer and his younger brother Tuomas practices parkour.

“When grandma told us that we could get an Olympia medal too, we decided right away to join in,” the excited boys share.

The IVV Olympiad truly is a relaxed and welcoming sports event for the whole family and people of all ages.

* IVV = Internationaler Volkssportverband. In Finland, members include Pirkanmaan Matkailu and the Vaasan Kävelyklubi ry (Walking Club).

Tampere IVV Olympiads 14.-17.8.2025

The IVV Olympiad is, above all, a feel-good event – no timing, no competition. You can join in alone, with a friend, a partner, or the whole family. The sports are chosen so that everyone can find a way to take part. This August, let’s move together, in nature and in good company – come and earn your own Olympic medal!

Sports: walking (distances of 5 / 10 / 20 and 42 km), cycling (20 and 40 km), swimming (300 m), as well as canoeing and orienteering.

Organizers by sport:
Walking & Cycling: Tampereen Taivaltajat
Swimming: Uinti Tampere
Orienteering: Tampereen Pyrintö
Canoeing: Tampereen Vihuri
Canoeing: Hiking Travel

Overall responsibility: Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry

Find out more and register: https://ivvfinland.fi/

The weekend before the Olympiad, August 8–10, Vaasan Marssi (the Vaasa March) will take place – also an official IVV event.

Coordinator Liisa Tyllilä smiles among the blooming bird cherry trees, thinking, “If only the IVV Olympiad were already here.”
Liisa Tyllilä smiles among blooming bird cherry trees. Photo: Rami Marjamäki

Writer: Liisa Tyllilä
Coordinator of the IVV Olympiad
Pirkanmaan Matkailu ry

The article was published in issue 2/2025 of Latu & Polku, the member magazine of Suomen Latu. Latu & Polku is Finland’s largest outdoor recreation magazine by circulation.