Know Your Olympics - Los Angeles Olympics 1932

The end of the Flying Finn's career -

Paavo Nurmi [right] - A sad end to an otherwise glorious career

The legendary Finnish runner, Paavo Nurmi, wanted to end his career on a high. He wanted to emulate his idol, long distance Finnish champion Hannes Kolehmainen, who ended his career with a gold medal in marathon. However, he was denied this opportunity at the Los Angeles Games.

Paavo made his Olympic debut in the 1920 edition of Antwerp. After winning a silver medal in the 5000 m, he took gold in the 10,000 m and the cross country events, be it individual or team. However, he didn't stop at that and created a sensation at the Paris Olympics in 1924.

He set new world records for the 1500 m and the 5000 m with just an hour between the races, and took gold medals in both distances in less than two hours at the 1924 Olympics. Nurmi won all his races and returned home with five gold medals. However, he continued to hold a grudge that Finnish authorities denied him a sixth gold medal in the 10000 meters.

At the Los Angeles Games, Paavo Nurmi aimed to end his career with a gold medal in the marathon. Sadly, his dream never came true.

In a controversial case that strained Finland–Sweden relations and sparked an inter-IAAF battle, Nurmi was suspended before the 1932 Games by an IAAF council. The council questioned his amateur status, and just two days before the opening ceremonies, the council rejected his entry.