The Flying Finn

Between 1920 and 1928, Paavo Nurmi, the greatest of a group of Finnish distance runners tagged "the Flying Finns" captured 9 gold and 3 silver medals.

Nurmi likely would have won more at the 1932 LA Games, but was declared a professional and banned from participation. He would make a triumphant return as the torch bearer of the 1952 Helsinki Games in his native Finland.

A statue of Nurmi stands outside the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.