Olli Hiidensalo is a biathlete who lights up in the big races. Last season, he reached an equal career best at the Olympics by shooting clean and coming in fourth in the men's individual. Now he shares his secret on how becoming a dad made him a better athlete and what he wishes to leave as a legacy to the Finnish team.

Hiidensalo has reached his career's best results in the past few seasons. "I think in the past I was trying too hard. Now that I have to prioritise my time between the training and family life, I feel like now I'm more focused on the quality of the training rather than the quantity."

Splitting the time between training and family life

Shooting range action is something the Finn is focused on in his training. "I think about how I can be a better shooter without spending too much time on the shooting range. Everyone who is competing in biathlon knows how to shoot, but bringing the performance to the shooting range in the competitions is something different."

Hiidensalo is a dad to a one-and-a-half-year-old son, Hugo. By becoming a parent, he thinks there are some advantages.

One thing Hiidensalo wants to point out is that an athlete shouldn't be scared of having a "normal" life. "You shouldn't be afraid that having a family will bring obstacles to your athletic career. Of course, it is not the same for everyone, and maybe it will not automatically make you better, but for sure, there is nothing to be scared about."

On building a house for his family

During the off-season, Hiidensalo didn't have to think about how to spend his time. With his wife, he bought a farm from his grandparents close by where he grew up.

The outside walls were left behind from the old building, whilst everything else is being done from scratch. "Maybe it would have been easier to tear everything down and build a new house. Now the only principle is that we do everything well, and it takes the time it takes. I don't know if I am saving any money by doing this myself, but I love it," Hiidensalo laughs and continues, "My son also enjoys the time on the construction site. He always joins me and wants to do everything. But for now, he is on picking up the trash duty since he is too young to use tools."

Now that the off-season has ended, the time for construction is limited as training comes first. "I hope we can move in by Christmas," he concludes.

The future plans

The 35-year-old Finn has been travelling with the World Cup circuit since 2013. Many fans speculated whether the Milano Cortina Olympics would be the last big races of his career. "Everyone assumed that I would retire since I have been doing this for so long. But I never said that this would be my last season. Maybe it was because I hadn't said that I am working towards a specific goal. If my family had said 'Please retire,' I would have had to think again about continuing the sport as an athlete."

The Finnish team as a whole has picked up their level. Hiidensalo thinks that a podium on a relay is totally doable.

As the oldest member of the team, Hiidensalo feels like he wants to help his teammates become better. "In the team, they call me dad, but I don't feel any pressure to carry them. When considering relays, I am comfortable with any leg, and I always tell the younger guys that I can take the leg with more pressure if they wish. I really want us to reach a podium either in the World Cup or in the World Championships, and I will continue in the team as long as I can help us achieve this goal."

For next season, Hiidensalo says his main focus will be on the World Championships. "In geography, Otepaa is even closer to my home than Kontiolahti. It almost feels like the home World Champs. I have been so close to the podium in the past few years that I am heading towards the competitions with a medal in mind. Otepaa shooting range is so crazy, who knows what will happen there in February!"