While most of the winter Olympic athletes in Vancouver are in their late teens, 20s, and 30s, there are 30 Olympic athletes age 40 and older. A U.S. News analysis of 2,631 athletes found that 19 countries sent older athletes to the games to compete in 9 sports.
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Almost half (14) of the athletes age 40 and older will represent their countries in curling events. Other spots where 40 and even 50-something competitors are among the best in the world include biathlon (3 athletes), bobsleigh (3 athletes), free style skiing (3 athletes), alpine skiing (2 athletes), and ice hockey (2 athletes). Skeleton, luge, and cross country skiing also had one 40-something competitor each.
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Germany sent the most older competitors to the games (5 athletes) followed closely by Sweden (4 athletes), and Canada (3 athletes). The United States and Great Britain each sent two older competitors. Many countries sent one older athlete including Argentina, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Japan Latvia, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
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The oldest competitor listed on Vancouver2010.com is Hubertus von Hohenlohe, 51, an alpine skier from Mexico. He is scheduled to compete in the men’s slalom and giant slalom. The oldest American athlete is Tracy Sachtjen, 40, a women’s curling competitor.
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