Charles Coste, the world’s oldest Olympic champion, passes away aged 101
The Frenchman, who won gold in the track cycling pursuit event at the 1948 edition, was a torchbearer for the Olympics in Paris 2024.
French cycling icon Charles Coste, who won Olympic gold in the team pursuit at the 1948 London Games, passed away last Thursday at the age of 101. He was the oldest living Olympic champion and a beloved symbol of the Olympic spirit.
Coste made headlines just months ago when he carried the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Summer Games on July 26. Seated in a wheelchair, he passed the torch to judo legend Teddy Riner and three-time Olympic gold medalist Marie-José Pérec, who lit the Olympic cauldron in a moment that moved millions.
“Athletes like Charles Coste leave behind an extraordinary legacy,” said French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari in a tribute shared on social media. “At 101, he embodied the values of sport and perseverance.”
Born in the southern French town of Ollioules, Coste captured gold in the team track cycling pursuit at the first Olympics held after World War II, alongside teammates Serge Blusson, Fernand Decanali, and Pierre Adam—all of whom have since passed.
Coste’s glittering career
In 1949, Coste stunned the cycling world by winning the prestigious Grand Prix des Nations—a grueling 87-mile time trial—beating Italian legend Fausto Coppi. He went on to win the Paris–Limoges race in 1953 and the Ronde de Monaco in 1954 before retiring from professional cycling in 1959.
“Winning Olympic gold is unforgettable—it brings immense joy,” Coste recalled in a July interview with Olympics.com.
“We were thrilled, even though the Brits forgot to play the French national anthem,” he joked. “I always cared about my rivals and made lifelong friendships through sport. I hope that’s the legacy I leave behind.”
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