Charles Coste, the oldest living male Olympic champion, will carry the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games on Friday, July 26.
Coste, who is celebrating his hundredth birthday on February 8, became track Olympic champion at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He was part of the French pursuit team on the track, along with Fernand Decanali, Pierre Adam and Serge Blusson.
And Coste will be the center of attention again in six months' time, when he carries the Olympic torch at the opening ceremony of the Games. "A huge honor," said Coste proudly in conversation with the NOS. "I have dreamed of the Games since I was young, because it is a beautiful place where people and all athletes meet."
During his cycling days, Coste was not only active on the track. He also rode on the road for years. In 1950 the Frenchman finished fourth in Paris-Roubaix. Eight years later, in 1958, Coste finished last in the final classification of the Giro d'Italia. He also started at the Tour de France twice, but never managed to reach Paris.
Bon anniversaire à Charles Coste, doyen des champions olympiques français qui fête ses 100 ans aujourd’hui. Champion olympique de poursuite par équipes à Londres en 1948. Il portera la flamme de @Paris2024
🎙 "Quand je regarde mes médailles, je suis fier !" Charles Coste, natif d'Ollioules, est le doyen des porteurs de la flamme olympique. Il a 100 ans ce jeudi 🎂
