Age ain’t nothing but a number!
August, 2008 by Antonia
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I’ve just turned 30 and am feeling a bit, well, odd about it, but I’m sure that there are more and more “older” athletes competing, and crucially, achieving great things at this year’s Olympic Games.
A quick sweep of results and athletes reveals a fascinating range of disciplines sporting their own “Geri-limpians”: Dara Torres, 41, US Olympic swimmer, three silver medals, James Tomkins, 42, AUS Olympic Rower, sixth (Gold in Athens aged 38), Marit van Eupen, 39, NED Olympic Rower, gold (bronze in Athens), Jeannie Longo-Ciprelli, 49, FRA Cyclist, 4th Women’s Road Time Trial and Hiroshi Hoketsu, 67, JAP Equestrian.
So, although the oldest ever Olympian was Oscar Swahn of Sweden, who won silver in the 100 meter team running deer shooting event at the 1920 Games in Antwerp at the age of 72, it is all the more impressive that many of the people listed above are competing in endurance events requiring phenomenal aeorbic fitness and strength. What is their secret? Could it be simple genetics? An unfailing desire to achieve the ultimate? Better training and more efficient techniques? Whatever the answer, the old adage that “it’s never too late” rings true.
I’d better get training then!
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