Philatelic Photograph: Paavo Nurmi Monument- Helsinki, Finland

Paavo Nurmi Monument

Helsinki, Finland

GPS: N60° 11.060;  E024° 55.615

Short Description: 

A monument honoring Olympic distance runner, Paavo Nurmi, is located at the entrance to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland.

Long Description:

A larger-than-life-size bronze nude statue of Olympic athlete Paavo Nurmi is depicted in mid-stride on top of a granite base. His right foot is on the plinth while his left foot is behind and in the air. Paavo Nurmi, nicknamed the Flying Finn, was middle and long distance runner competing is distances between 1500 meters and 20 kilometers.

During the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium he won a silver medal in the 5,000 meter race and gold medals in the 10,000 meter, individual men's cross-country, and team cross-country events. During the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris he won five gold medals in the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, 3,000 meters team, individual men's cross-country, and team men's cross-country. In the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam he won silver in the 5,000 meters and men's 3,000 meters steeplechase and gold in the men's 10,000 meters. Overall he won 3 silver and 9 gold medals in three Olympic Games. During his 14 year career he set 22 world records and was unbeaten in both the men's cross-country events and at 10,000 meters.

The side of the base is inscribed PAAVO NURMI and a plaque on the front of the base is inscribed:

PAAVO NURMI

1897-1972

{Olympic Rings}

ANTWERPEN 1920

PARIS 1924

AMSTERDAM 1928

9 KULTAMITALIA - GUILMEDALJER - GOLD MEDALS

3 HOPEAMITELIA - SILVERMEDALJER - SILVER MEDALS

22 MAAILMANENÄTYSTÄ - VÄRLDSREKORD - WORLD RECORDS

KUVANVEISTÄI - SKULPTÖR - SCULPTURER - WÄINÖ AALTONEN

The stamp was issued by Finland in 1973 to commemorate the life of Paavo Nurmi.