Paavo Nurmi was a Finnish middle- and long-distance runner, often called the 'Flying Finn' or the 'Phantom Finn'. He set 22 official world records at distances between 1500 metres and 20 kilometres, winning nine gold and three silver medals in the Olympic Games. During his 14-year career, Nurmi remained unbeaten for 121 races at distances from 800 m upwards. His legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history continues to inspire runners worldwide.