Oldest Olympians is saddened to learn that Egyptian rower Wagih El-Attar, born February 22, 1928, died July 29 at the age of 98. El-Attar represented his country in the coxed fours rowing event at the 1952 Helsinki Games, where Egypt was eliminated in the round one repêchage. He had better luck at the 1955 Mediterranean Games, where he captured bronze in the coxed pairs.

(Abdel Aziz El-Shafei)

At the time of his death, El-Attar was the oldest living Egyptian Olympian. That distinction now goes to Abdel Aziz El-Shafei, born December 8, 1931. El-Shafei represented his country in the water polo tournament at the 1952 and 1960 Summer Games, as well as the 100 metres freestyle swimming competition at the former edition. He won silver in that event at the 1955 Mediterranean Games, as well as silver in the water polo tournament and bronze in the 4×200 metres freestyle relay at the 1951 edition. After his retirement from active competition he remained active as a referee and administrator, and was awarded the Olympic Order in Silver in 1984.

Finally, we have an update to an older Olympic mystery from Egypt, that of boxer Ezz El-Din Nasir. Nasir represented his country in the lightweight event at the 1948 London Games, where he was eliminated in round one. Previously, we knew little else about him, but we were able to discover that he had a career in the Egyptian Air Force and was shot down and killed on April 5, 1963 while serving during the North Yemen Civil War.