Skiing, speed skating, figure skating, curling… Every four years, the Winter Olympics bring this icy wonderland of sport to our screens, which makes the spectacle feel all the more special. Yet so often, we watch the Olympics for more than the sport. At its heart, the games are about the stories of resilience and hard work that unfold before us. Every race, routine and performance represents years in the making. Athletes save thousands of moments like pennies in a pot as they work towards what they all aspire to: a perfect performance.
Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026
This February, the 2026 Winter Olympics were an inspiring tribute to what passion, time and consistency can achieve. So many athletes showed that the true beauty of sport isn’t in the result. We see the fruits of their labour in one pivotal performance on TV, but the most impressive part of their achievement is that they’ve shown up every day, improved by the smallest margins and learned to love the process, even when it's tough. They embrace the struggle of developing a new skill and commit to the long road of progress. This beautiful process can bring fulfilment at any stage of life. Day after day, it offers the quiet reward of pursuing something that makes you feel strong, helps you connect with your body and brings you joy.
Olympic inspirations we can’t ignore
This year’s Winter Olympians offer the inspiration we all need to invest in our physical well-being. Their achievements give us permission to aspire, challenge ourselves and grow at any age. Keep reading as we celebrate the iconic over-50s who trailblazed at this year’s Milano Cortina games, along with historic Olympians, who defied expectations and proved that there is no countdown on what you can achieve with time and dedication.
Rich Ruohonen (54) – US curler
Rich Ruohonen made history this year as the oldest American Winter Olympian, ranking fifth in the men’s curling competition. If you haven’t heard of curling, it’s a strategy-based team sport where players slide a polished granite stone towards a target, hoping to finish closest to the centre than their opponents. Once a fringe sport, curling has grown massively in popularity, and it’s a fun, accessible activity to try in small groups.
Claudia Riegler (52) – Austrian Snowboarder
Claudia made history as the oldest female Olympian at the 2026 Olympics. She dug deep and made the elimination rounds, finishing the competition in the top 16. She’s competed at five Winter Olympics and continues to challenge up-and-comers on the slopes in international competition.
KC Boutiette (55) – American Speed Skater
“I've raced at nine Olympic Trials. I want to skate competitively until I die.”
When it comes to passion for the sport, KC Boutiette wears his heart on his sleeve. Born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, the four-time Olympic speed skater competed in the 1000m at the 2026 Olympic Trials. He’s been gliding at speed over the ice since 1994 and has never looked back.
Other historic Olympians over 50
- Joseph Savage (52) – Figure skating
Joseph Savage became a pioneer of US figure skating in the early 20th century and competed in his last Olympic Games at age 52. He achieved considerable success in men’s singles, but became best known for his performance in pairs skating. In 1936, he and Marjorie Parker won the first official US ice dancing championship. Savage continued competing well into later life, earning his final medal at the 1943 US National Championships, aged 63.
- Hiroshi Hoketsu (71) – Equestrian
Representing Japan, Hiroshi Hoketsu first participated in the Olympic Games in 1964, entering the individual dressage event. Hoketsu’s craftsmanship and technique landed him a place on the Olympic team all the way into his 70s.
The equestrian hoped his last appearance would be at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, so he could snatch the record for the oldest Olympic competitor. Sadly, Hoketsu’s horse, Brioni W, fell ill, and he never got to fulfil the milestone. That record still belongs to another athlete, Oscar Swahn.
- Oscar Swahn (72) – Shooting
A late bloomer in competition, Oscar Swahn was 60 when he won his first Olympic gold medal in 1908. His last Olympic shooting competition was at nearly 73 years old, during the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp. To this day, Swahn holds the title of oldest Olympic competitor, and even medalled with silver in his final Olympic appearance.
- Lorna Johnstone (70) – Equestrian
The title of the oldest female competitor at the Olympic Games goes to the decorated equestrian Lorna Johnstone, who turned 70 years old just three days before competing in dressage at the 1972 Olympic Games. Just a year off Hoketsu and two off Swahn in the top spot, Lorna takes bronze for the oldest Olympic competitor in history.
- Ian Millar (65) – Equestrian
Ian Miller first appeared at the Olympics at the Munich games in 1972. A talented horse trainer and breeder, he rode his horse, Star Power, to achieve ninth place at Greenwich Park. Over his career, he also won a record nine medals at eight different Pan American Games.
- Ni Xialian (58) – Table Tennis
Ni ialian’s table tennis career turned defying expectations into an art form. The China-born star dominated the tables for 50 years, attending five Olympics and winning her most recent World Championship medal at the age of 58. She still plays international table tennis today, and the mantra that has guided her progress through every stage of life is simple: “One is never too old to learn.”
- Jill Irving (61) – Equestrian
Having grown up on horseback, Jill Irving made a surprisingly late Olympic debut. Nonetheless, she shone on the world stage at the 2024 Summer Olympics, competing in the dressage event with her trusted horse Delacroix 11, realising her dream with skill and poise.
Make staying active in retirement fun
Many of the sports where over-50 Olympians thrive share a common thread. While physically challenging, they’re skill-based, with technique playing a greater role than raw athleticism. You can pick up these kinds of sports at any time, helping to keep both body and mind sharp as you move through life’s changes. Exercising when you’re over 60 can be as exciting as any other time in life. So, if the standard at-home exercise routine you’ve found on YouTube doesn’t hit the spot, why not try a new sport?
Retirement-friendly Olympic sports to try
You can easily pick up a compactable table tennis set to enjoy with family, enquire about horse riding at your local stables or try an indoor curling set at home. Why not organise a table tennis event or curling tournament in your Churchill community and bring your neighbours and friends together?
It’s never too late to try something new that excites you. Read more about the incredible achievements of our Churchill residents:
- Les Brown (75) Runs the Beachy Head Trail Marathon
- Fred Cochrane flies high in a Spitfire
- Richard Hayes joins the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
- “Expressions of Creativity” – Churchill Resident Art Exhibition
FAQs about exercise for over 60s’
Are there any easy at-home exercise routines for over-60s?
Yes, there are plenty of strength and mobility exercises for the over-60s that you can do at home. With a yoga mat and some light dumbbells, you can work out in any room with a bit of clear floor space. YouTube is a great place to begin if you want guided routines. Check out channels such as:
Does Churchill Living offer class exercises for the over-60s?
While we don’t offer fitness classes, we encourage residents to set up community groups and make the most of shared facilities like the Owners’ Lounge. If you’d like to start your own yoga group or a chair-based exercise class, like the residents at Simmonds Lodge in Drayton, simply get in touch with your Lodge Manager, who can help with the logistics.
Is there an older people's Olympics?
With no upper age limit for participation in the Olympics, there’s no official senior Olympic Games. The closest equivalent is the World Masters Games, a multi-sport event for masters-aged athletes held every four years. There are also regional and national competitions for seniors in the UK, like the Better Club Games held at the Copper Box Arena.
Churchill Living: Empowering health, embracing community
At Churchill Living, we support you in enjoying retirement your way and creating a lifestyle you truly love. We’ve designed our shared Lodge facilities to make socialising and staying active around your schedule easy. Enjoy regular events in your retirement community’s Owners’ Lounge, and keep exploring the topics that matter most to you through our news page, including our best healthy ageing tips.