Paavo Nurmi (1897–1973), who won nine Olympic gold medals, and Wäinö Aaltonen are both honoured as nationally significant historical figures. The statue of the runner Paavo Nurmi was the first public sculpture commissioned in independent Finland. The athlete is depicted nude in accordance with the ideals of the ancient Olympic Games.

The nude depiction was also influenced by the health and body ideals of the 1920s, which emphasised a more liberated attitude towards the body. As Finland’s national sculptor, Aaltonen created several nationally significant works of public art during his career.