World’s oldest living Olympic champion Charles Coste dies at 101
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French cyclist Charles Coste (right) poses with an unidentified rider in July 1950 during the 37th edition of the Tour de France.
PHOTO: AFP
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PARIS - The world’s oldest former Olympic champion, ex-track cyclist Charles Coste, has died aged 101, French sports minister Marina Ferrari announced Nov 2.
Coste won gold at the 1948 London Olympics and was a torch bearer at the 2024 Paris Games.
“It was with great sorrow that I learned of the death of Charles Coste, Olympic champion in London,” Ferrari said.
“At 101 years old he leaves a huge sporting heritage.”
Coste passed away on Oct 30.
Torchbearer Charles Coste (centre) giving the Olympic flame to French former sprinter Marie-Jose Perec (left) and French judoka Teddy Riner (second from left) during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024.
PHOTO: AFP
He had been a promising cyclist until the start of World War II, but resumed his passion after the war.
He won a French national title in 1947 and took Olympic gold in London the following year in the team pursuit, helping France beat the British team in the semi-final and Italy in the title race.
Since the death in January of Hungarian gymnast Agnes Keleti, Coste, born Feb 8, 1924, was the oldest living Olympic champion. AFP
