The final time the summer season Olympics have been staged in Paris, again in 1924, Paavo Nurmi was one of many standout performers. As he created historical past by successful no fewer than 5 gold medals in a single Video games, he was dubbed as “The Flying Finn”, “The Phantom Finn” or “The Finnish Operating Marvel”.
Now, 100 years on from his unimaginable feats of athleticism, Nurmi’s medals are returning to the French capital for the primary time since he was awarded them for successful the 1500m, 5000m, the 3000m crew occasion and two cross-country occasions in a exceptional four-day spell.
Within the Twenties, the Finn was identified the world over for his center and lengthy distance working talents, filling arenas wherever he went. Paris 1924 established his enduring legend, together with his 5 victories remaining essentially the most athletics gold medals ever gained by one athlete at a single Video games.
Nurmi’s medals will go on show within the museum of the Monnaie de Paris on the left financial institution of the Seine and type half of a bigger exhibition of Olympic medals. “D’or, d’argent, de bronze. Une histoire de la médaille Olympique”, organised by the museum of the French mint to mark the Olympic Video games of Paris 2024, provides a captivating exploration of the historical past of the Olympic medal, highlighting its evolution by means of the editions of the fashionable Olympic Video games.
The exhibition opens to the general public from March 27 and can run till September 22.
“World Athletics is delighted that the household of Paavo Nurmi, the Paavo Nurmi Video games, the Metropolis of Turku and the museum of the Monnaie de Paris have partnered with our personal Museum of World Athletics to return one of the well-known units of Olympic medals to the French capital for the primary time since they have been gained there a century in the past,” mentioned World Athletics President Seb Coe.
“In the course of the yr of the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games, we’re celebrating the excellent achievements of The Flying Finn Paavo Nurmi who in 1924 gained a nonetheless unsurpassed haul of 5 Olympic Athletics gold medals in a single version of the Video games.
“As well-known because the Hollywood stars of his day, lauded by US presidents, Nurmi was the primary really world sports activities star. Nurmi ended his profession with 9 golds and three Olympic silver medals and 22 ratified world data however his achievements in Paris 1924, together with an outrageous 1500m and 5000m double gained with solely an hour relaxation between the 2 finals, marked the zenith of his profession.”
Go to the digital Museum of World Athletics right here
