Alexandre Bozio / Credits: JOEL SAGET / AFP
modified to
12:31 p.m., February 8, 2024
Former Olympic cycling pursuit champion Charles Coste will be one of the 11,000 torch bearers for the Paris Games. A source of pride for the oldest French Olympic medalist.
The oldest living Olympic champion, Charles Coste recently learned that he had been chosen to be one of the 11,000 bearers of the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. An honor for the former professional cyclist, 100 years old this February 8 and gold medalist in the team pursuit at the 1948 Olympic Games. “I found out by telephone, I have no other details at the moment. It will be unforgettable and I am very proud of it . Now I have to prepare myself physically,” he confided in an interview with AFP.
Symbol and tribute
Born in 1924, medalist at 24, bearer of the flame in 2024, we can say that the life of Charles Coste is closely linked to the number 24. Despite his difficulties in walking and pain in his knees, Charles Coste, who now lives in Paris region, will therefore be able to carry this symbolic flame for a few meters. Even if he does not yet know the section which will be allocated to him, the main thing is elsewhere. Offering the oldest French Olympic champion this opportunity for an event of such magnitude is a magnificent way of saluting the history of French sport.
It was on August 9, 1948 that Charles Coste added his name to the national cycling heritage. That day, he beat Italy in the final of the track team pursuit at the London Olympics. Surrounded by his band made up of Pierre Adam, Serge Blusson and Fernand Decanali, the team captain completed the domination of French cycling during this event, the Blues delegation winning three gold medals in six events.
After this amateur episode, also punctuated by a title of French Pursuit Champion in 1947 and a third place at the 1948 World Pursuit Championships, he began a professional career from 1949 to 1959 and won the Grand Prix des Nations. in 1949. From now on, what he hopes is to be able to take his place in the stands of the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines national Vélodrome to attend the Paris 2024 pursuit event. And why not, see the French team won gold, 28 years after Atlanta, but above all 76 years after Charles Coste.