Finland or Suomi

Just a few days before the Olympic Games in China begin, Jussi Pekkarinen, a researcher with the Finnish Foreign Ministry, reflects on the fact that Finland is seldom referred to by its Finnish name "Suomi" but mostly by its English designation "Finland" abroad: "The Finns see sport events as a good opportunity to improve Finland's image. But do our athletes represent Suomi or Finland? This question comes up every time there is a major sport event. ... The goal is to make the Finnish name for Finland socially acceptable. 'Suomi (Finland)' should just be an intermediate step."

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