Finnish skier apologises after comparing Vantaa to Mogadishu

Finnish cross-country skier Vilma Nissinen apologised on Friday after comments comparing the Vantaa district of Hakunila to Mogadishu sparked criticism from city leaders and the Finnish Ski Association.

The remarks were made after a Tour de Ski pursuit race in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Asked about competing on the World Cup circuit rather than at the Scandinavian Cup event being held in Vantaa this weekend, Nissinen said she would “rather ski here than in Finland’s Mogadishu”.