Advertisement

How old is an Olympian?

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The USOC said on Saturday said that the average age of the Beijing-bound squad is 26.8 years -- a slight decrease from the average age (27) of the 2004 Athens Games team.

The slightly younger average age runs counter to what’s been happening during recent Olympics. In general, the average age of Olympians ‘has been increasing since they are now allowed to be professionals,’ said Olympics historian Bill Mallon. ‘Previously they had to ‘retire’ early to go earn a living.’

Advertisement

A few weeks ago, before the USOC released the latest data, Mallon suspected -- correctly, it seems -- that ‘the women’s age may be creeping down a little bit because of the very young age of the women gymnasts and swimmers.’

He also said that the youth movement might be balanced by ‘the female professionals who keep competing, like Dara Torres.’

Torres is the 41-year-old athlete, mother, model, TV personality and motivational speaker who has qualified to swim in her fifth Summer Games.

The USOC on Saturday released only the average age for the overall team. If you’d like to see more data broken down by Summer/Winter and male/female, follow this link to a spreadsheet. Summer Games data goes back to 1896. The Winter Games data dates to 1928.

Speaking of older athletes, Associated Press reports that Laurie Lever, 60, will make his Olympic debut next month in Beijing as a member of the Australian equestrian team. Lever, who began riding when he was 10, is the oldest Australian Olympian.

Hiroshi Hoketsu, 67, will compete for Japan in dressage. This is his second Olympics.

AP also reported that the oldest Olympian on record is Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn, who won a silver medal at the 1920 Antwerp Games, just two months shy of his 73rd birthday.

Advertisement

--Greg Johnson

Advertisement