Finnish police say they are investigating former Olympic ski jumping champion Matti Nykanen for an alleged violent attack on his wife on Christmas Day.
Nykanen, 46, is suspected of attempting to stab his wife Mervi Tapola and then strangle her with the belt of a bathrobe at their home in southern Finland, police said Monday.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist was released Monday after charges for attempted manslaughter were dropped. Police say they will continue the investigation and that Nykanen could be charged with aggravated assault.
Reports of Nykanen's drinking and violent outbursts have appeared repeatedly in Finnish media since he retired. In 2004 he was sentenced to over two years in prison after stabbing a drinking companion.
Known as the Flying Finn, the five-time world champion won gold and silver at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics and three gold medals at the Calgary Games in 1988.
