Nurmi’s 1924 Olympic Medals Return to Paris

Five of Paavo Nurmi’s nine Olympic gold medals were won in Paris and will form part of an exhibition at the Musée de la Monnaie during the Paris 2024 Games. [Photo: World Athletics]

Nurmi’s 1924 Olympic Medals Return to Paris

by Philip Barker

The five gold medals won by Paavo Nurmi at the Paris Olympics 100 years ago are to be put on display at the museum of the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) on the banks of the River Seine throughout the 2024 Olympic summer.

Nurmi, known as “The Flying Finn” won individual gold in 800 metres, 1500m and cross country at the 1924 Games, and took team golds in Cross Country and 3000m.

“During the year of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, we are celebrating the outstanding achievements of The Flying Finn, Paavo Nurmi, who won a still unsurpassed haul of five Olympic Athletics gold medals in a single edition of the Games,” said World Athletics President Lord Coe, himself a double Olympic gold medallist over 1500m at the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Games.

“World Athletics is delighted that the family of Paavo Nurmi, the Paavo Nurmi Games, the City of Turku and the museum of the Monnaie de Paris have partnered with our own Museum of World Athletics to return one of the most famous sets of Olympic medals to the French capital for the first time since they were won there a century ago.

“As famous as the Hollywood stars of his day, lauded by US presidents, Nurmi was the first truly global sports star. Nurmi ended his career with nine gold and three silver medals and 22 ratified world records but his achievements in Paris 1924, including an outrageous 1500m and 5000m double, won with only an hour rest between the two finals, marked the zenith of his career.”

Nurmi’s medals from Paris will form part of a larger exhibition. “D’or, d’argent, de bronze. Une histoire de la médaille Olympique,” opens to the public on March 27th and is set to continue until September 22nd.

“Presenting an extraordinary set of Olympic gold medals at the Monnaie de Paris’ Museum is truly an honour. Even years later, Paavo Nurmi stands out as one of the most renowned athletes of all time. The celebration of his accomplishments undoubtedly positions this collection as a highlight of our exhibition,” insisted Musee de la Monnaie Chairman and Chief Executive Marc Schwartz.

Dominique Antérion (Heritage Curator) and Marc Schwartz (Monnaie de Paris Chief Executive) examine Paavo Nurmi’s 1924 gold medals. [Photo: World Athletics]

Nurmi also lit the cauldron when Helsinki staged the 1952 Olympics and remains a revered figure in Finland over half a century after his death.

The Paavo Nurmi Games have been held in his honour since 1957.

“We believe that Paavo Nurmi would be pleased that 100 years after his legendary Olympic success in Paris, his legacy continues to be an active part of his hometown of Turku, Finland, and lives on in the international athletics and sporting community.” said World Athletics Council Member and Nurmi Games Chairman Antti Pihlakoski.

Nurmi’s grandson Mika, and Lasse Viren, who won Olympic 5000m and 10,000m gold in both Munich and Montreal are both set to be among the first visitors to the exhibition.