Even though the 2024 Summer Olympic Games have ended in Paris, France, the inspiration does not! Whether you’ve enjoyed watching popular events like diving, gymnastics, and swimming, or preferred the more obscure competitions including canoe sprint (literally, a canoe race) or basque pelota (a fast-paced, energetic wall-and-ball sport), there has been something for people of all ages and interests to enjoy.
What started as a male-centric competition in the late 1800s with just a handful of sports has changed significantly over the years. This year’s games hosted over ten thousand athletes, with an even split between male and female competitors, making it the first Olympics in history to achieve equal representation.
Another notable change since the early days is the diverse age range between participants. The 2024 Paris Games hosted competitors ranging in age from fourteen (skateboarder Fay De Fazio Ebert of Canada) to sixty-nine (Mary Hanna, an Australian equestrian). Encouragingly to senior competitors, the International Olympic Committee does not set a specific age limit to participate in the Olympics. Although specific team sports (such as soccer) have eligibility requirements, many individual sports have no limitation. As long as the athlete qualifies fairly, they are free to participate.
Golden Age Heroes
While the idea of an Olympian usually conjures up images of toned Greek statues donning olive wreaths, many of the games’ breakout stars have followed a nontraditional path to success. Notably, Joan Benoit Samuelson, who started out as a slalom skier, won the first Olympic women’s marathon at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984.
After her impressive finish at the inaugural women’s marathon, Samuelson’s running career continued to flourish. In the years that followed, Benoit has gone on to compete internationally, racking up awards and finishing marathons in under three hours for five straight decades. Even these days, at age 67, Samuelson still continues to break records and showcase her commitment to the sport. In her own words, “We’re all getting older. Things aren’t going to feel the same. You’re not going to run as hard, but you can still set goals that keep you motivated.”
Lifelong Athletes
Like Samuelson, older Olympians bring a unique perspective to a global platform, proving that age shouldn’t be a barrier to athletic excellence. These lifelong athletes, some who are in their 50s, 60s, and even early 70s, showcase incredible longevity across their sports, from track and field to fencing, equestrian events and more. Beyond their exceptional performances, senior Olympians serve as role models, demonstrating that a commitment to health and an active lifestyle can lead to extraordinary accomplishments – regardless of age. A few notable senior Olympians include:
- Oscar Swahn, a Swedish shooter who remains the oldest Olympic medalist. He competed in the 1920 Olympics at the age of 72 and won a silver medal in team shooting. Swahn also holds the record for the oldest gold medalist, having won gold at the age of 64 in the 1912 Olympics.
- Hiroshi Hoketsu, a Japanese equestrian who competed in the 2012 London Olympics at the age of 71. He first competed in the Olympics in 1964 and made a remarkable return to the Games nearly five decades later.
- Lorna Johnstone, a British equestrian who competed in the 1972 Olympics in Munich at the age of 70, making her the oldest woman to ever compete in the Olympic Games..
Spotlight on Seniors
In addition to the Summer Olympic Games, a new event has taken shape in the past few decades. The National Senior Games, also known as the Senior Olympics, is a multi-sport event that takes place every two summers and includes competition across more than twenty-five events – from archery and badminton to tennis, triathlon, volleyball and everything in between. The catch? Athletes must be over the age of fifty to participate. Qualifying competitors are selected at their State’s Senior Games the year before the Games and must place in the top four of their age group. Ready to dust off your running shoes and tune up your javelin? 2024 is a qualifying year; the next National Senior Games will be held July 24 – August 4, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa.
As we reflect on the amazing accomplishments achieved in the Paris Olympics this year, viewing the best athletes in the world at the top of their game – including seasoned sportsmen and women – is an experience you won’t soon forget. While those competing in their “prime” physical years might yield the highest medal count, the mental fortitude and enduring strength of senior competitors may prove to inspire us most of all.