Today we have the same two milestone birthdays among the Oldest Olympians as last year so, as usual, we are combining them into a single blog post rather than choosing between them!
First, we are wishing a happy 95th birthday to Tan Liong Houw, the oldest living Indonesian Olympian! Tan represented his country in the football tournament at the 1956 Melbourne Games, where he was eliminated in the quarterfinals. He also represented Indonesia at three editions of the Asian Games, winning bronze in 1958.
Next, we want to wish a happy 94rd birthday to Japanese gymnast Takashi Ono! Ono represented his country in four consecutive editions of the Games, from 1952 through 1964, winning a total of 13 medals, five of which were gold. He won an additional seven medals at the World Championships between 1958 and 1962, two of which were gold. His wife Kiyoko also won an Olympic gymnastics bronze medal, in the team all-around in 1964. Ono is now the oldest living Japanese Olympic champion.
Finally, Oldest Olympians is saddened to learn that Irish track athlete Maeve Kyle, born October 6, 1928, died July 23 at the age of 96. Kyle represented her country at three consecutive editions of the Games, 1956, 1960, and 1964, becoming Ireland’s first female representative in track and field. Her best results came in 1964, when reached the semifinals of both the 400 and 800 metres events. She ended her career in 1966 by winning a bronze medal at that year’s European Indoor Athletics Championships in the 400 metres, and she later became a distinguished coach.
At the time of her death, Kyle was the oldest living Irish Olympian. That distinction now goes to sailor Harry Byrne, born July 2, 1929. Byrne represented his country in the Dragon class at the 1972 Munich Games, where his crew placed 16th. He also competed in that year’s World Championships, as well as a host of other tournaments during the 1970s. By career, he worked in the brewing industry.