One hundred years later, Paavo Nurmi returns to Paris.
The Finnish athlete had been the big attraction of the 1924 Olympic Games in the capital, winning five gold medals: individual and team cross, 1,500 m, 5,000 m and 3,000 m team.
A feat that no athlete has since reproduced in athletics in Olympic history.
Its medals, including those for the most beautiful metal, are therefore making their return for the 2024 Olympic Games.
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Died in 1973, he set 22 world records in the different disciplines in which he took part.
But a major obstacle put a damper on his career.
In 1932 he was suspended for life by the International Athletics Federation because he had broken the rules of amateurism.
At that time, the Olympic Games and many international federations prohibited athletes from earning money practicing their sport.
In agreement with his family, his medals will be exhibited at La Monnaie de Paris from March 27 to September 22.
This initiative is part of the exhibition “Gold, silver, bronze.
A History of the Olympic Medal” to celebrate the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris.
“As famous as the Hollywood stars of his time, praised by the presidents of the United States, Nurmi was the first true global sports star.
Nurmi finished his career with nine Olympic gold medals and three silver medals,” greets International Olympic Committee President Sebastian Coe in a press release.