French skier Julien Lizeroux took part in his last race this Tuesday in Schladming, while his partner Tessa Worley won the Giant at Kronplatz. He retired at age 41. There are many athletes in their forties today. For Virginie Phulpin, the “old people” are the future of sport.
What is it to be old when you’re an athlete? In the early 2000s, we were almost ecstatic when athletes continued their careers after 30 years. Virginie Phulpin found a lot of press articles that wondered what was the secret of the longevity of the thirties. Basically, we stayed on two immutable examples, Jeannie Longo and Jimmy Connors, to illustrate the legend of the sportsmen who last.
But today, the 40s at the highest level are legion. Look what happened last weekend. French skier Johan Clarey became the first 40-year-old to step onto a World Cup podium, and American footballer Tom Brady qualified for the 7th Superbowl of his career at 43. And then the tennis players who find themselves on the road to Serena Williams or Roger Federer aren’t wondering how old the captain is, they’re just hoping to grab some games.
We live longer, we are also a top athlete for longer. It must be said that the hygiene of life has changed a lot since the 80s when English footballers sprayed their pizzas rich in bad calories with beer in the locker rooms. Athletes eat better, are better prepared physically, nothing is left to chance, and careers stretch out.
The outlook on aging athletes has changed
Fortunately, we finally understood that being athletic is not just about speed and explosiveness. It is also intelligence of play, of racing. And it gets better with experience. The legs go slower but the brain accelerates. And in a team, obviously it helps to have an old man.
And then, our gaze as spectators has also evolved. We no longer necessarily want to see only miracles barely out of adolescence at work. The first Vendée Globe sailors will arrive in Les Sables d’Olonne in the coming hours for an exciting final. But the one who won hearts is still Jean Le Cam. The veteran of the race. When you’re 61, you can put things into perspective, saving a life matters more than arriving first. Yes, older athletes can add soul to sport.
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