Think the Olympic glory is over? You might be surprised by the age of the oldest Olympians. There are at least a few Olympians in their 50s and 60s competing in Paris this year.
There will be About 10500 The athletes who will compete in 329 events for a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics – and while the average age of competitors is in the mid-20s, there are a few older ones looking to win gold (in spirit if not for a place on the podium).
While older Olympians have historically competed in equestrian, sailing and shooting, the average age is younger this year in these events. However, there are some notable exceptions and some significantly older athletes in other sports:
Mary Hannah, 69, and other riders
Mary Hannah, 69, of Australia, is the oldest Olympic rider on the team in Paris, though she is an alternate this year. This is her seventh Olympic appearance. She made her debut in Atlanta in 1996 but missed Beijing in 2008 because of an injury to her horse. Her best result was sixth in the dressage team at the 2000 Olympics in her home city of Sydney.
Equestrian events represent a large number of older athletes. Among the riders in Paris over 50 are:
- Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo, Spain: 65 years old
- Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Sweden: 62 years old
- Jill Irving, Canada: 61 years old
- Pius Schweizer, Switzerland: 61 years old
- Mario Deslauriers, Canada: 59 years old
- Steven Peters, USA: 59
- Laura Kraut, Team USA: 58
- Karl Hester, Great Britain: 57 years
Nino Salukvadze, 55, and the other shooters
Shooters are another category of Olympic athletes that are usually well represented by older athletes.
Nino Salukvadze hails from Georgia. She has been competing in the Olympics since 1988 – 10 Games – and won gold in the 25m pistol and silver in the 10m air pistol on her first appearance. Her son Tsotni Machavariani is also competing in Paris this year.
Savat Sristaporn is a 61-year-old archer who could represent Thailand this year. While most Olympians have been competing in their sport for decades, Sristaporn didn’t start archery until 2007. Tokyo was his first Olympics.
Andy McDonald, 50, competes in… skateboarding.
Equestrian sports, shooting, and sailing are not uncommon for people over 50 to compete in. However, skateboarding is rarely practiced by people over 10, let alone in their 50s.
However, Andy MacDonald, representing Great Britain, is an exception. He turned professional in 1994, is a close friend of Tony Hawk, and holds the most X Games vertical skating titles. Still, competing at 50 and in Olympic form is a bit of a challenge, but he will enjoy it.
His participation in the Olympics was not new. In Tokyo, four years ago, two 46-year-olds – Dallas Oberholzer from South Africa and Rune Glevberg from Denmark – were able to compete alongside children.
And listen to this: Alexis Sablon, 34 at the time, took fourth place in the women’s street final.
Middle-aged athletes show off their prowess in some amazing sports
There are a few athletes competing in surprisingly challenging sports in their 40s:
- Megan Musnicki to row for Team USA at 41
- Diana Taurasi is 42 years old and is part of the USA women’s basketball team.
- Timo Boll of Germany competes in table tennis at the age of 43.
- Canada’s Malindi Elmore hopes to finish in the top 10 in the Olympic marathon.
There’s always training…or the Senior Olympics!
Although there aren’t many retirement-age athletes competing in Paris, training is always a possibility for Olympic glory.
Have you thought about the senior Olympics? National Senior Games The games have been around since the 1980s and are likely to grow in popularity as the active baby boom generation reaches retirement age in large numbers. The Senior Olympics are held every two years. The next competition will be held in 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Individuals can compete in archery, badminton, bowling, cornball, cycling, golf, pickleball, speed walking, speed walking, racquetball, road racing, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, tennis, athletics, and triathlon.
Non-moving competitions will be held in bowling, cornball and shuffleboard.
Team competitions include basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
Who is the greatest Olympic athlete of all time?
Japan’s Hiroshi Hoketsu attempted to break the record for the oldest Olympian ever at age 80. However, he failed to make the Japanese equestrian team for the Tokyo Olympics. (He had made the team in 2016 at age 71, but was unable to compete because his horse — not him — was ill.)
Currently, the oldest athlete ever to compete in the Olympic Games is Oscar Swann. The Swedish shooter was 72 years and 280 days old when he competed at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, where he won the silver medal. He also qualified for the 1924 Olympics but withdrew without competing.
The oldest woman to ever compete is equestrian Lorna Johnston. She was a first-place finisher for a time and competed in the 1972 Olympics at the age of 70.
Whatever your sporting interests, go for the gold medal.
Regardless of whether you’re interested in the Olympics – whether as a spectator or an athlete – you should aim for the gold medal… the gold medal after retirement anyway.
All you need to do to get the retirement gold medal is create a detailed retirement plan and follow it. There will always be some things that are out of your control, but if you keep an eye on your finances from now on, you will be less stressed and more prepared for whatever life throws your way.
Get started with your new retirement plan today.
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