<P> Paavo Johannes Nurmi ( Finnish pronunciation : ( ˈpɑːʋo ˈnurmi ) ( listen ) ; 13 June 1897 -- 2 October 1973 ) was a Finnish middle - and long - distance runner . He was nicknamed the `` Flying Finn '' as he dominated distance running in the early 20th century . Nurmi set 22 official world records at distances between 1500 metres and 20 kilometres , and won nine gold and three silver medals in his twelve events in the Olympic Games . At his peak , Nurmi was undefeated at distances from 800 m upwards for 121 races . Throughout his 14 - year career , he remained unbeaten in cross country events and the 10,000 m . </P>
<P> Paavo Johannes Nurmi ( Finnish pronunciation : ( ˈpɑːʋo ˈnurmi ) ( listen ) ; 13 June 1897 -- 2 October 1973 ) was a Finnish middle - and long - distance runner . He was nicknamed the `` Flying Finn '' as he dominated distance running in the early 20th century . Nurmi set 22 official world records at distances between 1500 metres and 20 kilometres , and won nine gold and three silver medals in his twelve events in the Olympic Games . At his peak , Nurmi was undefeated at distances from 800 m upwards for 121 races . Throughout his 14 - year career , he remained unbeaten in cross country events and the 10,000 m . </P>
finnish runner who won nine gold medals in 1920
finnish runner who won nine gold medals in 1920
Paavo Johannes Nurmi
Paavo Johannes Nurmi