Turku Day recognised sports volunteers and developers of cooperation between authorities and young people

The recipients selected by the Mayor share a strong ability to lead volunteers and organise events and activities that bring together large numbers of people in a smooth and safe manner. The volunteers of Paavo Nurmi Games were recognised for their strong teamwork and effective leadership, where knowledge and expertise are successfully passed on from experienced volunteers to new participants. The Moped Meet Working Group was praised for its courage in building cooperation and reducing confrontation. Through its work, a popular youth pastime has been made possible in a legal and safe way, while also strengthening trust in public authorities.
 

“This year’s City of Turku Medals are awarded to communities that mobilise hundreds of volunteers and enthusiasts. The volunteers of Paavo Nurmi Games make it possible for Turku to host an international-level athletics event. The Moped Meet Working Group, in turn, has created an outstanding operating model in the Turku region that enables young people to organise their own leisure activities without fear of confrontation with the authorities. The recipients are excellent examples of how community spirit and the common good are built in Turku,” says Mayor Piia Elo.

Paavo Nurmi Games is one of Finland’s most prestigious international athletics events and one of Turku’s most significant annual sporting events. In June, spectators at Paavo Nurmi Stadium were impressed not only by the athletic performances and several records broken, but also by the volunteers carrying out their duties in a coordinated manner throughout the event, helping to deliver an international-level competition in Turku.
 

In 2026, more than 500 volunteers participated in organising Paavo Nurmi Games and the festival built around it. The volunteers ranged in age from 7 to 85, and nearly one-third were under the age of 25.

Many volunteers come from the three Turku-based owner clubs behind Paavo Nurmi Games: Turun Urheiluliitto, Turun Weikot and Turun Toverit. In addition, a large number of individual volunteers and dozens of other clubs and associations from the Turku region take part.
 

Volunteers work in a wide range of roles, including competition operations, customer service, accreditation, event construction and dismantling, transport, safety and security, VIP services, athlete services, maintenance of the event area, and preparations and follow-up work related to the event days.

Since 2021, the Turku region has had a cooperation model involving young people, public authorities and municipalities that enables the organisation of legal moped and light motorcycle meets.
 

Thanks to this cooperation model, the majority of meets in the region are now organised legally. Previously, gatherings generated more than 100 calls to the emergency response centre in a single evening; today, only a handful of calls are received. The number of traffic offences has also fallen significantly.

The moped meet activities are youth-led, meaning that young people themselves are responsible for tasks such as route planning, selecting gathering locations, organising riding groups and choosing group leaders.
 

Young participants receive support in areas including personal and event safety, rescue and first aid planning, permit processes, basic fire-extinguishing training, first aid training, road safety and traffic control training, grant funding and equipment purchases.

The number of organisations interested in joining the initiative is increasing.

 

*This translation was produced with AI and reviewed by a human.

Photo: Turku Day 2024.