The Flying Finn

The story of the "Flying Finn" who gave pride to the divided nation

Paavo Nurmi "The Flying Finn" is one of the most decorated athletes in history with 12 Olympic medals, he is the national pride of his country which was immersed in a civil war

Paavo Nurmi lights the Olympic torch (Photo: Olympia-kuva Oy, Helsinki National Museum[4.0].)

Every sports fan knows the flying Dutchman, Robin van Persie who starred for Arsenal between 2004-2012, the non-flying Dutchman is an even bigger legend, Dennis Bergkamp, an Arsenal legend who starred in it between 1995-2006. But even a small nation with half of Israel's population has its own "flying" athlete, the athlete Paavo Nurmi, the "Flying Finn", who was the pride of the young Finnish nation at the beginning of the last century and died on October 2, 1973.

On June 13, 1897, Paavo Nurmi was born, known as "The Flying Finn", he was born in the city of Turku in southwestern Finland. He was orphaned at the age of 12 by his father, which forced him to go out to work, which made him cultivate a withdrawn character as he grew up. When he was twenty, Finland gained its independence, and entered into a civil war between the different classes, when he, like Didier Drogba, gave hope to a divided nation.

In 1914 he started running in an organized framework but, progressed slowly due to a body structure less suitable for a sprinter, which did not deter him and only made him work harder and persevere.

When he served in the army he was suspected of cheating after he finished a long haul while carrying a heavy weight, significantly before everyone else. He then turned out to be running it while everyone else was walking. Already in his first Olympics (1920), he won 4 medals, 3 of which were gold, following his achievements he was promoted to the rank of corporal.

Broke a world record in protest after refusing to run out of concern for his health

In his second Olympics, he won five gold medals, with only two hours between his first run and his second. In his second run, 24 of the 39 runners finished it unconscious. Those in charge of the expedition prevented him from running in the 10,000-meter race for fear of his health. As a protest ran alone around Paris with a result better than the world record.

Paavo Nurmi running (Photo: Wikimedia)

In preparation for the Olympics in 1932, he trained a lot to climb long distances. He broke records in half marathons and was supposed to run a full marathon. But Sweden complained that he was a professional and was receiving money, which was, as I recall, forbidden at the time. Despite a petition from the Olympic marathon runners, the Athletics Federation decided to disqualify him and thus ended his wonderful Olympic career.

Paavo Nurmi was honored when he was inducted into the bill

In 1934 he finally retired from running, having won no less than 12 medals (9 gold and 3 silver) throughout his career, more than any other athlete in history. He is known for his psychological and tactical preparation, when together with hard work and perseverance they covered with great success, the large body structure. He did all this when he sometimes had to run two important runs a few hours apart.

Paavo Nurmi on a bill (Photo: from Wikimedia)

After retirement, Paavo Nurmi coached the Finnish delegation to the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany. He eventually turned to business, where he became a successful businessman. He also tried to expand into the shipping business, but without success. In 1952 he lit the Olympic torch. In his old age he founded a research fund for heart diseases, he died on October 2, 1973 at the age of 76. He was honored by his country when he appears on the face of a 10-mark bill.

0 Comments

Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation, and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.

Paralympics, Wheelchair Tennis

Paralympics: Guy Sasson earns earns bronze  medal in wheelchair tennis 

Gila Isaacson, JFeed Staff | 06.09.24

Rebecca Cheptegui

Tragic update: Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died

3
| Gila Isaacson | 05.09.24

Paris Paralympics, Wheelchair tennis, Israeli athletes

Israeli Paralympic Tennis Stars Shine in Paris

1
| Eliana Fleming | 03.09.24

Uganda, Gender Based Violence

Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei in critical condition after being set alight

1
| Gila Isaacson | 03.09.24

Paralympics

AMAZING: Israeli rower Moran Samuel clinches gold medal at Paralympics

Gila Isaacson, JFeed Staff | 01.09.24

Paralympics Paris 2024, Mark Malyar

Israel's Malyar claims bronze in Paralympic swimming 

Avi Nachmani | 31.08.24

Mbappé, X, Hacked Account, Anti-Semitism

Mbappé's X account hacked: Anti-Semitic tweets and Messi stings go viral 

Avi Nachmani | 29.08.24

Paralympics 2024

2024 Paris Paralympics kicks off with a bang

Gila Isaacson | 29.08.24

Real Madrid, Mbappe

Mbappé's Magical Madrid Debut

Gila Isaacson | 18.08.24

Sports, Manchester United

Exciting news!!! De Ligt and Mazraoui have joined Man U

Gila Isaacson | 14.08.24

Paris Olympics 2024

More medals than ever: Israel's 2024 Olympic journey is over

Gila Isaacson | 11.08.24
Get JFeed App
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play