(Credit - Paris Olympics)
These medalists forgo many notions about success at the Olympics!
The Summer Olympics are a global multi-sport event where athletes from numerous nations compete. While one might expect competitors to be young and energetic, this isn't always the case. In some sports, athletes continue to compete successfully into their later years. Since the early days of the modern Olympics, several athletes have won gold medals at advanced ages. Achieving a gold medal for your country in your later years is an extraordinary feat. With the Paris Olympics approaching, it's a perfect time to highlight the oldest gold medal winners in Summer Olympic history. Here are the top five oldest individuals to secure a gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
Oscar Swahn holds the record as the oldest athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics, a distinction also recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. The Swedish shooter competed in the 1908, 1912, and 1920 Olympic Games, becoming the oldest Olympian ever when he participated in the 1920 Summer Games. At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Swahn was part of the victorious team in the running deer event. On the day he won the gold, July 4, 1921, he was 64 years and 258 days old. Swahn claimed his first gold medal at the 1908 London Games and amassed a total of three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals throughout his Olympic career.
Galen Carter Spencer, an American archer, is among the oldest athletes to win a gold medal. He achieved this feat at the 1904 St. Louis Games on September 19, 1904, coinciding with his 64th birthday. Spencer secured the gold medal in the team competition and placed thirteenth in the double American round. Sadly, reports indicate that Spencer passed away exactly one month after earning the gold medal for his country.
Lida Peyton Pollock, commonly known as Eliza, was an American archer who became the oldest woman to win a gold medal at the Olympics. At 63 years and 333 days old, she achieved this milestone at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics. Pollock was part of the American archery team that won gold in the team competition. In addition to her gold medal, she also earned bronze in the Women’s Double Columbia and National Rounds. Her remarkable achievements in archery at an advanced age underline her extraordinary skill and enduring contribution to the sport.
Jerry Milner, a shooter who represented Great Britain and Ireland at the 1908 London Olympics, is one of the oldest athletes to win a gold medal. At 61 years and four days old, he achieved this remarkable feat in the Free Rifle at 1000 yards event. The 1908 Games remain the only Olympics where the United Kingdom topped the medal standings. Milner's gold medal win not only highlights his exceptional skill but also his impressive longevity in the sport. His achievement remains a testament to his enduring talent and is celebrated as one of the most notable moments in Olympic history.
Santiago Lange, an accomplished sailor and naval architect from Argentina, competed in six editions of the Olympics from 1988 to 2016. In 2016, Lange won gold in the Nacra 17 class, alongside teammate Cecilia Carranza. At 54 years old, this achievement made him the fifth oldest athlete to win a gold medal in Olympic history. Lange's exceptional career is further highlighted by his status as a four-time World Champion in sailing. His amazing career in the sport, as well as his ability to excel at such an elderly age, demonstrate his exceptional sailing skill and dedication.
These Olympians prove that age is no boundary in the hunt for the gold medal!
