Paavo Nurmi: The Unstoppable Finnish Legend

^{Oct 5, 2024 | Edition #33}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when we discuss athletic greatness? For some, it may be defined by those who sprinted down the streets of Berlin for a cause. While others may think of all-time greats like Paavo Nurmi, fondly called the 'Flying Finn' with 12 Olympic medals.

It has been over 51 years since he left us on October 2, the day we humbly honor as his death anniversary. But there are intriguing facts about the legend that still remain lesser-known. While we unveil those hidden gems as a tribute to him in today's newsletter, we'll also dish out 2 stories from contemporary track and field, as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Alexis Ohanian both made headlines for their bold decisions this week.

So let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more.”

— Steve Prefontaine

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Track & Field universe:

🗝️ History of the Legend: Paavo Nurmi

😲 Lesser-known Details About ‘The Flying Finn’

👀 Shelly-Ann & Elaine Takes Final Call on the Coach!

🔥 Alexis vs Johnson: the Heated Debate!

 👣TRACING THE FOOTPRINTS

Paavo Nurmi: The Unstoppable Finnish Legend

Paavo Nurmi—Talk about legends and this name hits the top list. Nurmi made long-distance running seem as effortless as a stroll in the park, gliding past competitors with the grace of a gazelle! Over 4 Olympic cycles, he became the first track athlete to win 9 golds. Although Carl Lewis touched that mark later, the Finnish legend had long dominated it! Thus, after his demise in 1973, Nurmi was mentioned in obituaries across the globe and was given his final adieu with a state funeral. Needless to say, books and articles commemorating his marvels kept pouring in huge numbers too. 

But even before, the Finns were still going above and beyond to give him the hero treatment. 5 golds in six days at the Paris Games 1924, Nurmi was defined 'beyond the limits of humanity.' Imagine, the government got his statue sculpted by the land's best sculptor, Waino Aaltonen! Fast track to 1952, two more copies were installed in front of the Olympic Stadium and one in his hometown, Turku. While the original one was placed outside the Physical Education Faculty at the University of Jyvaskyla in 1983, another copy was sent to the Museum of the International Olympic Committee, in Switzerland.

Do you think these live-size honors were all? Well, Nurmi became a national icon the minute he was featured on medals and stamps. Even streets in Finland were renamed after him and so was a planet! In fact, by 1987, currency aka a ten markkaa banknote was issued with Paavo Nurmi on one side and the Olympic Stadium on the other. What's more, to celebrate his 60th birthday, the government inaugurated the Paavo Nurmi Games, Finland's annual track and field meet in 1957. Today, that has transformed into a whole festival, with exhibitions of his medal copies, concerts, marathons, etc.  

Read Full Article: Life Story—Paavo Nurmi THE FLYING FINN

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

Last Poll’s Result: In our last poll we asked, "should marathon prizes be bigger?" and 66% of you voted YES! 🎊 It seems our running community believes it’s time to increase those prize pots! 💰✨

🏅BEYOND THE MEDALS

Paavo's Epic Story: From Olympic Tracks to Business Skyline

With the history all covered, let’s dive into some lesser-known stories about the legend! Paavo Nurmi was a pro in walking, running, and calisthenics—most things that needed a knack for athletics. From 1500m to a mile or even cross country, his versatility knew no bounds! But people know little of how this trait extended beyond sports. September 1934, after Nurmi ran his final 10,000 meters, he detoured down a completely different path. Straight from running, he entered entrepreneurship, as a building contractor!  

Did he have that astute mindset of a businessman though? Well, he sure did, as he'd started planting the seed for his capital since the 1920s, by making prudent investments in the stock market. Now only a visionary could think of something like this! Turns out, luck was on his side too, as the housing projects plumped up his bank account. In Helsinki, there are about 40 townhouses constructed by his company. 

Paavo Nurmi was a momentous contributor to the nation too. He kept stepping away from his business to train Finnish runners occasionally. And during the war years, he was available to serve the nation in a single call! Although he resented publicity, Nurmi touched down in America with Taisto Maki in the 1940s to raise relief funds for his country, tangled in a war with the Soviet Union. Topping with philanthropic activities like promoting cardiovascular research via the Paavo Nurmi Foundation or bearing the torch for the Helsinki Games, he'd been proactive pretty much all his life!

Read Full Article: Life Story- Paavo Nurmi THE FLYING FINN

📽️ VIDEO VAULT

Jamaican Sprinting Legends—100m races!

Explore the incredible journeys of Elaine Thompson-Herah, Sharika Jackson, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce! From Elaine’s historic 2016 double victory to her heartbreaking injury and Sharika's stunning dominance in the 200m, delve into the highs and lows of these iconic athletes. Witness the resilience and spirit that define their careers!

📈TRENDING NEWS

Sprinting Queens Makes Final Call on the Coach!

Straight to the point, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has now severed ties with her coaching side, the Elite Performance Track Club. 4 years after commencing training under Coach Reynaldo Walcott, she's now parted her ways and per reports, Jamaican veteran Elaine Thompson-Herah is set to follow suit. Well, the buzz around track town is also that 110m hurdler Rasheed Broadbell may make a similar announcement in the coming days. But, why is this happening?

There are a few potential reasons. Fraser-Pryce's relationship with Coach Walcott had apparently turned cold, with him not returning her calls or WhatsApp messages. All this comes around the backdrop when she's just returned crestfallen from Paris, and is continued to be troubled by her knee injury. But this step hardly seems hasty or made out of frustration, as for the founding member who lowered her PB to 10.60s under Walcott to take this major decision hints that the crack is too deep to be filled. Amidst all this, there are speculations if Fraser-Pryce could be joining hands with Andre Wellington. 

On the other hand, Broadbell, the only Olympic medalist for the Club this year is presumably knocking on the old MVP door again. And so is Elaine Thompson Herah, who is apparently in the advanced stage of negotiations with them in what has been an injury-marred year for her. While these are all major shifts, Bert Cameron, the Jamaican veteran feels, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce though, "it was time; she has done her best with coach Walcott" and decided to move on. But the same could have been a personal choice for Broadbell, who has done well since teaming up with Elite Performance. In any case, this shuffle is a big blow to the side.

Read Full Article: Frustrated Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Finally Breaks Free From Mistreatment to Chase Final Track & Field Dream

🗣️DEBATE OF THE DAY

Alexis Ohanian Slams Michael Johnson’s Bold Stipulation

The coming times would reveal how Michael Johnson's Grand Slam Track (GST) measures against the Athlos NYC in execution. But Ohanian is already pointing fingers at it. The GST organizers' new rule, saying, athletes who sign up for their meet need permission to compete in other events, did not sit will with Ohanian. He posted on X how its "disappointing" and not "very athlete-friendly." In doing so, he held Johnson and Bill Ackman accountable, the latter chairs the Winners Alliance, a lead investor in GST.

Ohanian reiterated in another comment, that Johnson being an Olympic legend should reconsider this. It would narrow down options instead of increasing them, which sounds detrimental to the growth of women's track and field, a sport already battling under investment. But yes, GST's stance does sound quite bizzare given that not even 2 weeks ago, Johnson spoke to Citius Mag and cited how he believed that they're athletes are not exclusive. He considered GST to be at the top of the pyramid, which puts a responsibility on it to uplift the sport. Even if that means promoting their athletes when they run for other leagues.  

Well, per the contract, GST states that athletes do not require permission to compete in the Olympics, World, or National championships. They have to do so when participating in a "Competing Sports League," with more than 2 events, but that excludes the Diamond League from its ambit. Thus, it clearly targets the Athlos NYC, which if decides to bring in more meets a year, will come under a direct tussle with the GST.

Meanwhile, the defenders have not been silent. Their spokesperson said, "there are some newcomers" who think the way to elevate the sport is via creating controversy through distortions. The also cited their athlete-first policy and that they're supportive of GST athletes competing it the Diamond League and "any other one-off events that may arise." But clearly, a fire is ignited.  

Read Full Article: ‘It’s Disappointing’: Alexis Ohanian Criticizes Michael Johnson’s Controversial Condition for Grand Slam Track League Athletes

📝 STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISS!

1. Track and Field Community in Shock With Latest Suspension of 24-Year-Old - Full Story

2. Noah Lyles Subtly Hints at Future Plans with Junelle Bromfield - Full Story

3. Justin Gatlin Highlights Major Issues in the Sport - Full Story

4. Hunter Woodhall Takes Wife Tara Back to His Roots Inspiring the Next Generation - Full Story

5. Feeling Out of Control, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Faced Career Low in 2019 - Full Story

6. Dina Asher-Smith Breaks Silence on Controversial Paris Olympics Walk-Off After 100m Heartbreak - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

💌 FEEDBACK