Time and tide wait for no man, or do they?
Beijing-bound athletes Jeannie Longo, Haile Satayin, Hiroshi Hoketsu, Dara Torres, James Tomkins and Susan Nattrass have shown getting older does not rule out Olympic participation at the highest level.
French cyclist Longo, Ethiopian-born Israeli Satayin, who runs in the marathon, Japanese equestrian ace Hoketsu, American swimmer Torres, Australian rower Tomkins and Canadian shooter Nattrass will be among the more senior athletes at the Aug. 8-24 Games in Beijing.
Longo clinched a place to compete in her seventh Olympics at the age of 49. The five-time world champion staked her claim with an outstanding win in both the road race and time-trial at the French National Championships in June.
The 1996 Olympic road race champion has competed in every Games since women’s cycling was first introduced. She will compete in both the road race and time-trail races in Beijing. Her dedication and commitment is legendary and no doubt she owes her longevity to both of those qualities.
Satayin, who emigrated from Ethiopia to Israel, finished in 20th spot in the men’s marathon at the Athens Olympics and in Beijing he will be among the oldest competitors aged 49, though his passport says he’s older.
The patience required for top long distance running was shown by Satayin in Athens when, as world class athletes started slowing or dropping out, he was moving up the field. Satayin’s loping stride looks languid but, like a cheetah, he makes fast running look deceptively easy.
His running partner Dror Haziza says of his style: “He [Satayin] just flows. It just comes naturally.”
Dubbing himself the “hope of old men,” Japanese equestrian ace Hiroshi Hoketsu is ready to show he has improved with age when he trots out to his second Olympics in 44 years. At the age of 67 years and four months next month, he will be the oldest Japanese ever to compete in the Olympics and undoubtedly one of the most senior athletes at the Beijing Games.
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