Q 01/05

By what nickname was Paavo Nurmi known for dominating distance running in the 1920s?

A) The Turku Express

B) The Flying Finn

C) The Nordic Ghost

D) The Iron Finn

Answer · why

B) The Flying Finn

His secretive style also earned him the 'Phantom Finn', 'Peerless Paavo' and, among Finns, 'The Great Silent One'.

Q 02/05

In which decade did Nurmi dominate distance running?

A) The 1900s

B) The 1910s

C) The 1930s

D) The 1920s

Answer · why

D) The 1920s

He was unbeaten for 121 straight races at his peak and never lost a 10,000 m in 14 years.

Q 03/05

How many Olympic gold medals did Nurmi win in his career?

A) Nine

B) Seven

C) Twelve

D) Five

Answer · why

A) Nine

He added three silvers from 12 events, a medal record that stood until fencer Edoardo Mangiarotti won his 13th in 1960.

Q 04/05

How many official world records did Nurmi set at distances between 1,500 metres and 20 kilometres?

A) 8

B) 14

C) 18

D) 22

Answer · why

D) 22

Counting unofficial marks, including his indoor records, the total rises to 58.

Q 05/05

In which Finnish city was Nurmi born?

A) Helsinki

B) Turku

C) Tampere

D) Oulu

Answer · why

B) Turku

He lived in the same 40-square-metre apartment in the city centre from 1903 until 1932.