About
Finnish cross-country skier (Puijon Hiihtoseura) and one of the most decorated classic/distance specialists in the sport, competing on the World Cup since 2011 (15 seasons through 2025-26) with 10 individual wins and 26 individual podiums (143 starts). Three-time Olympic champion: men's team sprint gold (2014 Sochi, with Sami Jauhojärvi), 50km classical mass-start gold (2018 Pyeongchang), and 15km individual classical gold plus skiathlon bronze and team sprint silver (2022 Beijing, a three-medal Games). World Champion in the 15km classical individual (2017 Lahti), with additional bronze medals in the 15km classical (2019) and team sprint (2017). First Finnish male skier to win a World Cup discipline globe (Distance, 2021-22) and the first Finnish man to reach the Tour de Ski overall podium (3rd, 2021-22). At the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics he finished 17th in the skiathlon and 4th in the 4x10km relay but did not finish the 50km classical mass start. Sister Kerttu Niskanen is also an Olympic-medalist cross-country skier.
World Cup record through the 2025-26 season: 10 individual wins and 26 individual podiums from 143 starts, plus four team podiums from 14 starts. One discipline title, in Distance, in 2022. At the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics: 17th (skiathlon), 4th (4x10km relay), DNF (50km classical mass start); did not start the 15km classical or team sprint.