The Independent - London, September 12th, 1999
BETWEEN 1921 and 1931 Paavo Nurmi, the "Flying Finn", set 29 world records from 1,500 to 20,000 metres and won nine Olympic gold medals. Such versatility makes it difficult to oppose anyone who claims that he was the greatest track athlete of all time.
His Olympic golds came in 1920 (when he won the 10,000m, the individual cross-country and one for the cross-country team event), 1924 (1,500m, 5,000m, 3,000m team event and two in cross-country) and 1928 (10,000m). He would probably have added to his total in 1932 but he was disqualified on the grounds of professionalism.
He was born in Turku ...
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