Mustafe Muuse’s inspiring speech steals the show at Finnish Sports Gala 2024
Mustafe Muuse giving his speech after receiving his award (Photo by urheilugaala.fi)
HELSINKI, January 28, 2025 - One of the most memorable moments of the Finnish Sports Gala 2024, which took place on the evening of 16 January 2025 in Helsinki, was the speech given by long-distance runner Mustafe Mahad Muuse, who was named Role Model of the Year.
A STAR At just 23 years old, Muuse, born on August 4, 2001, in Turku, Finland, to Somali parents who emigrated from Ethiopia in the 1990s, has emerged as one of Finland’s brightest young stars in long-distance running. He has already claimed multiple medals at the Finnish Athletics Championships, including a gold in the 5,000 meters in 2024.
DREAMS COME TRUE His inspiring speech at Helsinki Ice Hall moved the entire audience and drew a deserving standing ovation. His message focused on hope, equality, and the transformative power of community. Reflecting on his own life, Muuse shared how his once-distant dreams are now within reach, encouraging others to believe in themselves despite facing challenges and injustices.
(Photo by urheilugaala.fi)
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES Muuse spoke of the growing social divides in Finland and around the world but envisioned a society where people of all backgrounds—children, young people, and adults—are valued, not in spite of their differences but because of them. He stressed the importance of creating supportive communities where everyone is encouraged to thrive. Drawing on his own experiences, Muuse emphasized that the true power in both sports and life lies in lifting others up when they fall, rather than competing against each other to be the best.
He also used the example of Finnish Olympic legend Lasse Virén to illustrate his point. In the 1972 Munich Olympics, Virén famously fell during the 10,000-meter race but got back up and went on to win the gold medal. Muuse used this story as a metaphor for life, illustrating that sport is not just about competing against each other but about helping those who stumble and supporting them to rise again.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR The 18th edition of the annual Finnish Sports Gala culminated in the prestigious Athlete of the Year award being presented to ice hockey player Aleksander Barkov by the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and Kari Linna, Chairman of the Finnish Sports Journalists' Association. This award was a testament to Barkov's exceptional performance in 2024, where he garnered 1,710 votes.
The Finnish Sports Gala was a deeply emotional gathering that celebrated Finnish sports and gave athletes the recognition they deserve. The award ceremony highlighted athletes across 84 different sports, showcasing the growing diversity and expansion of the Gala over the years.
Here are awards from the Finnish Sports Gala 2024 voted by the Finnish Association of Sports Journalists
Athlete of the Year:
A STAR At just 23 years old, Muuse, born on August 4, 2001, in Turku, Finland, to Somali parents who emigrated from Ethiopia in the 1990s, has emerged as one of Finland’s brightest young stars in long-distance running. He has already claimed multiple medals at the Finnish Athletics Championships, including a gold in the 5,000 meters in 2024.
DREAMS COME TRUE His inspiring speech at Helsinki Ice Hall moved the entire audience and drew a deserving standing ovation. His message focused on hope, equality, and the transformative power of community. Reflecting on his own life, Muuse shared how his once-distant dreams are now within reach, encouraging others to believe in themselves despite facing challenges and injustices.
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITIES Muuse spoke of the growing social divides in Finland and around the world but envisioned a society where people of all backgrounds—children, young people, and adults—are valued, not in spite of their differences but because of them. He stressed the importance of creating supportive communities where everyone is encouraged to thrive. Drawing on his own experiences, Muuse emphasized that the true power in both sports and life lies in lifting others up when they fall, rather than competing against each other to be the best.
He also used the example of Finnish Olympic legend Lasse Virén to illustrate his point. In the 1972 Munich Olympics, Virén famously fell during the 10,000-meter race but got back up and went on to win the gold medal. Muuse used this story as a metaphor for life, illustrating that sport is not just about competing against each other but about helping those who stumble and supporting them to rise again.
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR The 18th edition of the annual Finnish Sports Gala culminated in the prestigious Athlete of the Year award being presented to ice hockey player Aleksander Barkov by the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and Kari Linna, Chairman of the Finnish Sports Journalists' Association. This award was a testament to Barkov's exceptional performance in 2024, where he garnered 1,710 votes.
The Finnish Sports Gala was a deeply emotional gathering that celebrated Finnish sports and gave athletes the recognition they deserve. The award ceremony highlighted athletes across 84 different sports, showcasing the growing diversity and expansion of the Gala over the years.
Here are awards from the Finnish Sports Gala 2024 voted by the Finnish Association of Sports Journalists
Athlete of the Year:
- Aleksander Barkov, ice hockey, won the award with 1,710 votes.
- Finland U21 Men's Football National Team won with 528 votes.
- Tuomas Iisalo, basketball, received the most votes (754).
- Minja Korhonen, Nordic combined, won with 615 votes.
- Mustafe Muuse, athletics.
- Nathalie Blomqvist, athletics.
- Anssi Rauramo.
- Patrik Laine, ice hockey.
- Tampere.
- Kesko Oyj.
- Kajaani Gymnastics.
- Rolf Haikkola (athletics, posthumously), Mikko Ilonen (golf), Minna Kauppi (orienteering), Tommi Mäkinen (motorsport), Leo-Pekka Tähti (athletics).
- Aleksander Barkov lifting the Stanley Cup.
- Aleksi "Aleksib" Virolainen leading his team to a Counter-Strike championship.
- Finnish Men's Floorball National Team winning the World Championship.
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