French President Emmanuel Macron has led emotional tributes for an Olympian – who he said embodied “dedication, respect, and love for sport in all its forms”
French President Emmanuel Macron has led emotional tributes for an Olympian who won gold in London.
Charles Coste, 101, was the oldest surviving Olympian until his death – and he won gold at the 1948 games at London’s famed Herne Hill Velodrome. His death was confirmed in a statement from President Macron.
Macron said that Coste was “until his final breath, the tireless messenger of a certain idea of sport.”
A statement continued: “The President of the Republic and his wife pay tribute to the memory of this champion who left his mark on the history of his sport and of the nation.
“They extend their heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and to all cycling enthusiasts.”
Coste was involved in the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics last summer, where he lit he lit the torches of the Olympic stars Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec.
Riner said: “That moment symbolised the passion and spirit of transmission that drove him.
“Charles Coste embodied dedication, respect, and love for sport in all its forms.”
Coste was an icon of the post-World War 2 track scene, winning the amateur pursuit in 1947 and following that success with a bronze medal at the World Championships in 1948.
His biggest victory would come later in the summer – claiming gold alongside team-mates Pierre Adam, Serge Blusson and Fernand Decanali in the team pursuit.
On the road, he finished fourth at the fearsome Paris-Roubaix, one of cycling’s five monuments, and he would beat Fausto Coppi – known as il Campionissmo (the Champion of Champions) and regarded as one of the greatest of all time – at the 1949 Grand Prix des Nations.
Coste hung up his bike in 1959, and he would go on to have a career as a sales inspector in Paris.