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In
1923, Paavo Nurmi was the proud holder of world records in three track
events – the mile, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters, achievements still
unparalleled.
The
1924 Paris Olympics was a glorious period for Finland. Nurmi won five gold
medals in six days. Of these, three were individual and two team events.
The
1,500 meters and the 5,000 meters that he competed in and won were held
within two hours of each other!
In
1925, Nurmi went on a tour of the United States. The tour lasted five
months, during which he raced 55 times, won 53 of them, abandoned one and
lost just one. He also gave numerous exhibitions. This hectic tour seemed to
slow him down and at the next Olympics in Amsterdam in 1928 he did win his
trademark 10,000 meters, but came second in two other events.
However, he must have recovered soon for a couple of world records
followed soon.
In
Los Angeles, in 1932, Nurmi went all prepared to defend his title and to win
the gold in the marathon. But fate willed it otherwise. He was barred from
participating, being accused of having become a professional.
That
year the Olympics had highly exacting spectators. The incident brought his
international career to an end.
Finland,
however, did not let down their hero and he was acclaimed an amateur and
allowed participation in the National events.
After
winding up his running career when age caught up with him, Nurmi who had
invested wisely turned businessman with his chosen field being building
contracts. He kept in touch with his old passion by training upcoming
Finnish runners.
The
last lap
The
1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki saw Nurmi’s participation as a runner, but
not on track events. He carried the Olympic Torch into the stadium, taking
the audience by surprise; they broke into a thunderous roar of applause.
Paavo
Nurmi passed away on October 2, 1973, at Helsinki. He was given a state
funeral by a nation he had done proud many times over.
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