Think Olympic glory is behind you? You might be surprised by the ages of the oldest Olympians. There are at least a handful of Olympians in their 50s and 60s competing in Paris this year.
There will be around 10,500 athletes competing in 329 medal events at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games — and while the average age of the competitors in the mid 20s, there are a handful of older people going for gold (in spirit if not an actual podium spot).
While historically the oldest Olympic athletes have competed in equestrian, sailing and shooting competitions, the average ages are younger this year in these events. However, there are a few notable exceptions and some notably older athletes in other sports:
Mary Hanna, 69, and Other Equestrians
Dressage rider Mary Hanna, 69, of Australia is the oldest Olympian on a team in Paris, albeit as an alternate this year. This is her seventh Olympics. Her debut was in Atlanta in 1996 but she missed competing in Beijing in 2008 due to an injury to her horse. Her best result was sixth place in team dressage in the 2000 games in Sydney, her home turf.
Equestrian events are well represented by older athletes. Riders in Paris who are over 50 include:
- Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo, Spain: 65 years old
- Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Sweden: 62 years old
- Jill Irving, Canada: 61 years old
- Pius Schwizer, Switzerland: 61 years old
- Mario Deslauriers, Canada: 59 years old
- Steffen Peters, Team USA: 59 years old
- Laura Kraut, Team USA: 58 years old
- Carl Hester, Great Britain: 57 years old
Nino Salukvadze, 55, and Other Shooters
Shooters are another category of Olympian that is typically well represented by older athletes.
Nino Salukvadze hails from Georgia. She has been competing in the Olympics since 1988 – 10 Olympics – and won gold in the 25 meter pistol and silver in the 10 meter air pistol in her first outing. Her son, Tsotne Machavarianni, is also competing in Paris this year.
Savate Sresthaporn is a 61 year old shooter who may be representing Thailand this year. While most Olympic athletes have been competing in their sport for decades, Sresthaporn didn’t begin shooting until 2007. Tokyo was his first Olympics.
Andy Macdonald, 50, Competing in… Skateboarding
Equestrian, shooting, and sailing are events where it is not uncommon to find 50+ year olds competing. However, skateboarding is barely practiced beyond the 10 year old level, let alone in your fifties.
However, Andy Macdonald, representing Great Britain, is an exception. He became a professional skateboarder in 1994, is good friends with Tony Hawk, and he owns the most X Games vert titles. However, competing at 50 and in the Olympic format is a bit of a stretch, but he is going to have fun doing it.
And, his Olympic participation is not without precedent. In Tokyo, four years ago, two 46 year olds – Dallas Oberholzer from South Africa and Rune Glifberg from Denmark –also managed to compete alongside the kids.
And, get this: Alexis Sablone, 34 year at the time, placed fourth in the women’s street final.
Middle Aged Athletes Make a Showing in Some Surprising Sports
There are a handful of athletes competing in surprisingly tough sports in their forties:
- Meghan Musnicki will be rowing for Team USA at age 41
- Diana Taurasi is 42 and is part of USA’s women’s basketball team
- Timo Boll of Germany is competing in table tennis at 43 years old
- Malindi Elmore of Canada is hoping to be among the top 10 finishers in the Olympic marathon
There is Always Coaching… Or, the Senior Olympics!
While there are not many athletes who are of retirement age competing in Paris, coaching is always a possibility for Olympic glory.
And, have you considered the Senior Olympics? The National Senior Games have been around since the 1980s and will probably increase in popularity as the ever active Baby Boomers reach retirement in droves. The Senior Olympics are held every two years. The next competition will be in 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Individuals can compete in archery, badminton, bowling, corn hole, cycling, golf, pickle ball, power walk, race walk, racquetball, road race, shuffleboard, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field, and triathlon.
Non ambulatory competitions will be held in bowling, corn hole and shuffleboard.
And, team contests include basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
The Oldest Olympic Athlete of All Time?
Japan’s Hiroshi Hoketsu tried to break the record for oldest Olympian ever at 80. However, he missed making Japan’s equestrian team for the Tokyo Olympics. (He made the team in 2016 at age 71, but he couldn’t compete due to his horse – not him – being ill.)
Currently, the oldest athlete to have ever competed in the Olympics is Oscar Swahn. The Swedish shooter was 72 years and 280 days old when he competed in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, where he won a silver medal. He also qualified for the 1924 Olympics but withdrew without competing.
The oldest woman to ever compete is equestrian Lorna Johnstone. She has held the top spot for some time and competed in the 1972 games at age 70.
No Matter Your Athletic Interests — Go for the Gold
No matter whether you are interested in the Olympics – either as a spectator or athlete – you should go for the gold… Retirement gold anyway.
All you need to do to get a gold medal for retirement is to create and follow a detailed retirement plan. There will always be certain things that are out of your control, but if you keep an eye on your finances today on, you will be less stressed and better prepared for whatever life throws your way.
Get started with your Boldin Plan today.
