Pikkarainen of Finland to Miss European Short Course Championships

Emilia Pikkarainen of Finland has been forced to pull out of the European Short Course Championships in Netanya due to medical reasons.

Pikkarainen, who finished 34th in the 100 butterfly at the World Championships, has a serious infection that is effecting her wisdom teeth and will have both pulled in the next few weeks. She will be forced to take a break from training once the procedure is finished.

“I do not want to go to compete with inflammation and the how the body feels after such swimming breaks,” said Pikkarainen.

Pikkarainen currently ranks fifth in the world in the women’s short course 100 butterfly.

Fanny Salo Teijo will take her spot on the Finnish relay in Netanya.