See Also: Nurmi, Paavo (Johannes)(encyclopedia)
Spitsbergen(encyclopedia)
Johannes(dictionary)
Vermeer, Johannes(encyclopedia)
Reuchlin, Johannes(encyclopedia)
Ockeghem, Johannes(encyclopedia)
Brahms, Johannes(dictionary)
Kepler, Johannes(encyclopedia)
Johannes (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
Ewald, Johannes(encyclopedia)

Nurmi, Paavo (Johannes) (sh) and Spitsbergen (sh)


Nurmi, Paavo (Johannes) (sh)




born June 13, 1897, Turku, Fin.
died Oct. 2, 1973, Helsinki

Finnish track athlete.

The outstanding long-distance runner of his generation, he captured nine gold medals and three silver in three Olympic Games (1920, 1924, 1928), setting two records at the 1924 Games in a little over an hour. He held the world record for the mile run for eight years (1923-31). For his prowess he was nicknamed "the Flying Finn."


Paavo Nurmi, 1931.

UPI


Spitsbergen (sh)




Island group, Norway.

The main island group in the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen lies 360 mi (580 km) north of Norway in the Arctic Ocean. The chief islands are Spitsbergen (formerly West Spitsbergen), North East Land, Edge Island, and Barents Island. The islands may have been known to the Vikings. Possession of the Spitsbergen islands was disputed by several European nations in the 17th century over whaling rights and in the 20th century over mining rights. Norway took formal possession in 1925. Spitsbergen has extensive coal deposits.