1940 XII Olympic Games Helsinki Olympiakisat Helsingissä

This wonderful and rare original vintage Finnish Olympic poster from 1940 was created for the XII Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, which were cancelled following the outbreak of World War II. The poster is a remarkable piece of Olympic history, advertising an event that never took place.

The striking design features the legendary Finnish middle-distance and long-distance runner Paavo Nurmi (1897-1973), known internationally as the "Flying Finn", running across a globe with Finland highlighted on the map. The five Olympic rings appear above him against a blue background. Nurmi was one of the greatest athletes in Olympic history, winning nine gold and three silver medals across three Olympic Games and setting 22 official world records at distances ranging from 1,500 metres to 20 kilometres.

The 1940 Summer Olympics were originally awarded to Tokyo, Japan, with the Games scheduled for 21 September to 6 October 1940. Following Japan's withdrawal in 1938, the Games were reassigned to Helsinki and rescheduled for 20 July to 4 August 1940. However, the outbreak of World War II led to their cancellation. Helsinki eventually hosted the Summer Olympics in 1952.

The Finnish text "XII Olympiakisat Helsingissä" translates as "12th Olympic Games in Helsinki." The poster also carries the scheduled dates, 20 July to 4 August 1940. Its powerful composition, combining the figure of Paavo Nurmi with the globe and Olympic rings, makes it an outstanding example of pre-war Finnish sports poster design.

A very rare and historically significant original Olympic poster, particularly appealing to collectors of Olympic memorabilia, athletics history and vintage sports posters.

Professionally mounted on linen and in very good condition, with some surface dirt and light overall age wear.