50 greatest Summer Olympians in history
By John Buhler
9. Paavo Nurmi, Track and Field.
For a country best known for its dominance in the Winter Olympics, Finland’s greatest-ever athlete may be the cross country superstar — and 12-time Summer Olympic medalist — Paavo Nurmi, who won nine golds and three silver medals over the course of three Summer Games.
Nurmi won four medals in the 1920 Antwerp Games, taking home the gold in the 10,000 m, individual cross country, and team cross country events, along with a silver in the 5,000 m.
Four years later, at the 1924 Summer Games in Paris, Nurmi had his best showing yet, capturing five golds (in the 1,500 m, the 5,000 m, the individual cross country, team cross country, and the 3,000 m team).
Nurmi would close out his impressive Olympics career with three more medals in the 1928 Amsterdam Games — a gold in the 10,000 m, and two silvers in the 5,000 m and the 3,000 m steeplechaes. Nurmi passed away in 1973 at the age of 76.
Next: 8. Birgit Fischer.