Finland at The 1924 Summer Olympics - Athletics

Athletics

Fifty-two athletes represented Finland in 1924. It was the nation's fourth appearance in the sport as well as the Games. Nurmi won gold medals and set Olympic records in both the 1500 and 5000 metre races, with Ritola very close on his heels in the 5000 for silver. The pair finished first and second in the same order in the cross country race, as well. Nurmi did not defend his 1920 title in the 10000 metres, but Ritola earned the victory and the world record in that race. Ritola took another individual gold medal in the 3000 metre steeplechase. Nurmi and Ritola were each members of both the 3000 meter team race and team cross country teams which won gold; this gave Nurmi a total of five gold medals while Ritola took four golds and two silvers.

Stenroos won the marathon, while Myyrä took the javelin championship and Lehtonen finished first in the pentathlon. In all, the Finnish athletes took 17 medals, 10 of which were gold. They were second place behind the United States in both the total and gold medal counts in athletics.

Wilén earned an odd distinction: he set an Olympic record in a race which he did not win. He finished third in the 400 metre hurdles final after a pair of American hurdlers. The race winner, however, had knocked over a hurdle and his time was therefore ineligible to be considered a record. The second place runner had strayed outside his lane and was therefore disqualified. The result of all this was that Wilén received a silver medal and an Olympic record.