SPORTS Oldest former Olympic champion Coste dies at 101

Nov 3, 2025 - 06:30

This file picture shows the late French cyclist, and Olympic champion in the team pursuit during the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Charles Coste attending a ceremony to receive the Legion d'onneur at the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on April 13, 2022. — AFP pic

PARIS, Nov 3 — The world’s oldest former Olympic champion, ex-track cyclist Charles Coste, has died aged 101, French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari announced today.

Coste, who won gold at the 1948 London Olympics, was also 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.”

The late French cyclist Charles Coste (R) poses with an unidentified rider in July 1950 during the 37th edition of the Tour de France. — AFP pic

Coste passed away on Thursday.

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 on February 8, 1924, had been the oldest living Olympic champion. — AFP

[Source: Malay Mail]