French Olympic Champion Charles Coste Dies at 101

French cycling great Charles Coste, one of the heroes of France’s post-war Olympic glory, has passed away at the age of 101, French media reported on Sunday.

Coste, who captured gold in the team pursuit at the 1948 London Olympics alongside Pierre Adam, Serge Blusson, and Fernand Decanali, died on Thursday, marking the end of an era in French cycling.

Born in 1924 in Toulon, Coste rose to prominence as a powerful track rider whose determination reflected France’s resilience in the years following World War II. His Olympic triumph in London brought pride to a nation rebuilding its sporting identity.

Beyond his Olympic victory, Coste’s career sparkled with memorable wins — most notably the 1949 Grand Prix des Nations, a gruelling 140-kilometre time trial where he stunned the cycling world by defeating Italian legend Fausto Coppi, a multiple Tour de France and Giro d’Italia champion.

In 2024, Coste made a symbolic return to the Olympic stage as one of the torchbearers at the Paris Games, a moment that celebrated not just his longevity but also his enduring connection to the sport’s history.

Following the passing of Hungarian gymnast Agnes Keleti in January 2025 at the age of 103, Coste held the distinction of being the world’s oldest living Olympic gold medallist — a title that spoke to both his athletic achievement and his remarkable journey through a century of sport.

His death closes a remarkable chapter in France’s Olympic story, one marked by passion, endurance, and a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of cyclists and sports lovers alike.