Overview

Paavo Nurmi, famously known as “The Flying Finn,” was one of the greatest middle and long-distance runners of all time. Born on June 13, 1897, in Turku, Finland, he was renowned for his precision in pacing and exceptional endurance. Nurmi won nine Olympic gold medals and three silver medals across three Olympic Games (1920, 1924, and 1928). His achievements include dominating events such as the 1500 meters, 5000 meters, 10,000 meters, and cross-country races. He also set 22 official world records, with his meticulous training and competitive strategies making him a formidable athlete.

Nurmi’s most notable performances were at the 1924 Paris Olympics, where he won five gold medals in less than a week, showcasing his incredible stamina and versatility. He was known for carrying a stopwatch during races to maintain an exact pace, reflecting his scientific approach to running. In addition to his Olympic success, Nurmi set numerous world records across distances ranging from 1500 meters to 20 kilometers.

Despite his tremendous success, Nurmi faced controversy over professionalism, leading to a suspension before the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, which prevented him from competing. After retiring from athletics, he became a businessman and contributed to Finnish athletics as a coach and mentor. He was honored by lighting the Olympic flame at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and received a state funeral in Finland upon his death on October 2, 1973.