Paavo Nurmi was part of a talented group of Finnish athletes who were nicknamed the ‘Flying Finns’. He made his Olympic debut in the 1920 Antwerp Games. He won gold medals in the 10,000M, the cross-country individual and team event.
At the 1924 Paris Games, Nurmi made history becoming the first athlete ever to win five gold medals at a single Olympic. In the space of four astonishing days, Nurmi won the 1500M, the 5,000M, the 3,000M team event and the two cross-country events.
At the 1928 Amsterdam Games, Nurmi completed his Olympic career by winning the 10,000M and earning silver medals in the 5,000M and the steeplechase. But IAAF branded him a professional, causing him to miss out on the 1932 Olympic Games and a possible 10th gold medal.