VIERUMAKI, FINLAND – Finland's representative to the International Olympic Committee visited the dual World Seniors and World Mixed Doubles Championships today, and pronounced the most recent curling discipline of Mixed Doubles to be an attractive sport.

"In my opinion, it's quite a nice combination," said Peter Tallberg, a Finnish IOC member since 1976.

"You get both men and women, which is quite different in sport."

Tallberg competed in five Olympic Games in Sailing between Rome 1960 and Moscow 1980. He observed both the Seniors and Mixed Doubles competitions, and was accompanied for the Mixed Doubles session by Finland skip Jussi Uusipaavalniemi, who is competing for a playoff spot. Tallberg was seated close the the match between the Czech Republic and Spain, the latter team featuring athletes averaging just 14 years of age.

"Those (age) combinations are also interesting," said Tallberg. "You have younger and older, even some mothers and sons competing together."

"He seemed to enjoy himself," said Olli Rissanen, president of the Finnish Curling Association.

"It was important for Finnish curling to have an IOC member come to visit the World Seniors and the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships."