Charles Coste, Olympic Champion and Last Torchbearer for Paris 2024, Dies at 101
Paris, France – November 4, 2025 – The world of sport is mourning the loss of Charles Coste, a French cycling icon and the oldest living Olympic champion, who passed away today at the remarkable age of 101. President Emmanuel Macron announced the news, marking the end of an era for a man who embodied dedication and the enduring spirit of the Olympic Games. This is a developing story, and archyde.com is providing up-to-the-minute coverage. For those following Google Trends, expect “Charles Coste” and “Paris 2024” to surge in searches.
From Post-War Triumph to Parisian Symbol
Coste’s sporting journey began in the shadow of World War II. He secured a gold medal in the team pursuit at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, a victory that resonated deeply as France rebuilt and rediscovered its national pride. Competing alongside teammates Pierre Adam, Serge Blouson, and Fernand Decanaly – known as the ‘ABCD’ team – they defeated Italy by an astonishing 39 seconds, a record that still stands today as the largest margin of victory in Olympic history for the event.
Charles Coste pictured after a cycling competition in September 1949. (Image Credit: Source News)
A Legacy Beyond the Velodrome
Coste’s athletic achievements didn’t end with the 1948 Games. He turned professional, achieving a significant win at the 1949 Grand Prix des Nations, besting the legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi. He participated in two Tours de France and four Giros before retiring in 1959 to pursue a career as a sales supervisor at La Blanchisserie de Grenelle, a prominent dry cleaner. But his connection to the Olympics never faded.
The Heart of Paris 2024
Decades after his initial Olympic glory, Coste was chosen as the final torchbearer for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The image of the 101-year-old, carried in a wheelchair through the rain, lighting the cauldron alongside French gold medalists Teddy Riner and Marie-José Perec, became an instant symbol of the Games. The moment, captured and widely shared, represented a powerful passing of the torch – both literally and figuratively – and a celebration of a lifetime dedicated to sport. This powerful imagery is a prime example of how impactful structured data can be for news indexing.
Charles Coste passes the torch to Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Reiner during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. (Image Credit: Source News)
Tributes Pour In
President Macron’s office released a statement praising Coste as “a person who tirelessly conveyed certain ideas about sport until his last breath.” Judo gold medalist Teddy Riner echoed this sentiment, stating that Coste “embodied dedication, respect and love for all forms of sport.” International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry described him as “a living Olympic champion.” The outpouring of grief and admiration underscores the profound impact Coste had on the sporting world and the hearts of the French people.
The ‘ABCD’ team – Fernand Decanali, Pierre Adam, Serge Bloisson and Charles Coste – celebrate their gold medal win at the 1948 Olympics. (Image Credit: Source News)
Coste’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary life lived with passion, resilience, and a deep commitment to the values of the Olympic movement. His story serves as a powerful reminder that the spirit of the Games transcends generations and continues to inspire.
For more breaking news and in-depth coverage of the Olympics and the world of sports, stay tuned to archyde.com. We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available. Don’t forget to share this article with your network and join the conversation!
