“I never thought I would wait 74 years,” Charles Coste, oldest French Olympic Champion, finally inducted into Legion of Honor

Charles Coste, who was born in 1924, is France’s oldest living Olympic champion. In 1948, he was part of the French track cycling team that won the gold medal at the London Olympics.

The Legion of Honor is the highest award given by France to its Olympic athletes. Every Olympic Champion has received the award since its inception. Except Coste. That’s because Coste won his gold medal four years before the Legion of Honor was introduced - after the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952.

“Since 1952, all French Olympic champions automatically receive the Legion of Honor and me, it seems that I was Olympic champion too early,” said Coste.

An omission and an oversight no longer.

Coste who has admired Tony Estanguet’s career, had requested the award be presented by the Paris 2024 President.

“I am very happy, especially because it is Mr. Estanguet who is giving me the Legion of Honor because I admire his sports career very much. I dedicate it to my three companions, Pierre Adam, Serge Blusson, Fernand Decanali, because there were four of us on the podium. I haven’t forgotten them”.

Coste also won the Grand Prix des Nations in 1949 and competed in two Tours de France and three Tours of Italy.

“I am no longer forgotten by the Republic. And through me, it is also my friends from the French pursuit team who are honored. They left before me. But I know why I wanted to stay alive. I was waiting for this sign.”