On This Day

Paavo Nurmi

Runner nicknamed the "Flying Finn" Paavo Nurmi

Profession: Runner nicknamed the "Flying Finn"

Nationality:
Finland
Finnish

Why Famous: Dominated distance running in the early 20th century.

He set 22 official world records and won a total of nine gold and three silver medals in his 12 events in the Olympic Games.

Born: June 13, 1897
Birthplace: Turku, Finland

Generation: Lost Generation
Star Sign: Gemini

Died: October 2, 1973 (aged 76)

Historical Events

  • 1921-06-22 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 10,000m (30:40.2)
  • 1922-06-19 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 5000m (14:28.2)
  • 1922-08-27 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 3000m (8:28.6)
  • 1922-09-04 Finnish super athlete Paavo Nurmi runs a 2000m world record 5:26.3 in Tampere, Finland
  • 1922-09-12 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 5000m (14:35.4)
  • 1923-08-23 Paavo Nurmi of Finland runs world record for 1 mile of 4:10.4 in Stockholm; record stands until 1931
  • 1923-08-24 Paavo Nurmi of Finland runs world record 3 mile time of 14:11.2 in Stockholm; intermediate time during 5000m event
  • 1924-06-19 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 1500m of 3:52.6; 50 minutes later sets 5,000m WR 14:28.2; also runs WR 3-mile time 14:02.00 within that event in Finnish Olympic trials in Helsinki
  • 1924-08-31 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 10,000m (30:06.2)
  • 1924-10-01 Finnish distance runner Paavo Nurmi runs world record 4 mile (19:15.4) & 5 mile (24:06.2)at Vilpuri, Russia
  • 1925-01-06 Paavo Nurmi, sets indoor record, 4:13.6 mile & 14:44.6 5,000m
  • 1926-05-24 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 3000 m (8:25.4)
  • 1926-07-12 Paavo Nurmi walks world record 4x1500m (16:26.2)
  • 1926-07-13 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 3000m (8:20.4)
  • 1926-07-17 Paavo Nurmi walks world record 4x1500m (16:11.4)
  • 1927-06-18 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 2000 m: 5:24.6
  • 1928-10-01 Finnish distance runner Paavo Nurmi runs 15k world record 46:49.6 and 10 miles 50:15.0 in Berlin, Germany
  • 1928-10-07 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 10 miles (50:15.0)
  • 1930-06-09 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 6 mile (29:36.4)
  • 1930-09-13 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 20,000m (1:04:38.4)
  • 1931-07-24 Paavo Nurmi runs world record 2 mile (8:59.6)

Famous Runners

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