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How Finnish ace Nurmi made his point in the 1924 Games

Nurmi won nine gold medals in his Olympic career

Paavo Nurmi was already an Olympic champion before the Paris Games in 1924, having won gold in the 10,000m in 1920 as well as a silver in the 5,000m.

He was denied the chance to defend his 10,000m title in France but proceeded to win the 1500m and then the 5,000m less than an hour later.

Nurmi added two more gold medals, winning the 10,000m cross-country and team cross-country events.

And the Finn claimed a fifth gold by coming home first in the 3,000m.

Finnish officials had prevented Nurmi from entering the 10,000m in Paris, the gold medal going to compatriot Vilho Ritola.

Angry at being omitted, Nurmi made his point by setting a 10,000m world record that lasted for almost 13 years.

And in 1928, he won his ninth Olympic gold by reclaiming his 10,000m title, although he lost out to Ritola in the 5,000m.

Born in Turku on 13 June 1897, Nurmi had caught Finland's attention while serving in the army in 1919.

He entered a 20km march and, as running was allowed, ran the whole way carrying a rifle, cartridge belt and 11lb sack of sand.

During his career, he ran with a stopwatch in his hand that he tossed into the infield in the closing stages of a race.

And as well as collecting numerous titles and medals, he set a total of 29 world records.