Charles Eugster dies at 97; newbie sprinter inspired with book, WRs
Charles had fun to end. Video below was posted three days before he died.
Sad to report the death of a shooting star. Charles Eugster of Britain, who took up sprinting at 95 and became a viral video sensation and Daegu world champion, has died at 97 of complications from heart failure, according to Athletics Weekly and his own website. “His son, Andre, spoke briefly to say: ‘We fully supported Dad in his endeavours and aside from our personal loss it is so sad that he passed away at the height of his success. He wanted to inspire the world.’” Charles had written a book — “Age is Just a Number: What a 97-Year-Old Record Breaker Can Teach Us about Growing Older” — and his friend David Tarsh said: “Charles never sought physical immortality but he wanted to ‘change the world,’ to make advanced old age a different experience… one that could be exciting, useful and fulfilling. At this, he led by example and magnificently over-achieved until the very end of his remarkable life. His legacy, however, will live on, having inspired thousands around the world.” AW said: “Born in London in 1919, the former dentist only took up rowing and bodybuilding in later life when he sensed his fitness fading.” He no doubt would have been sprinting at 100, but we’re lucky to have witnessed his efforts in his late 90s. Read tributes on his Facebook page. We’ll miss his Twitter feed, too.
Sorry to hear that he passed away. My condolences to his family.
I had met him in Daegu where a British TV crew was making a documentary about him, and we were staying in the same hotel.
Like a true gentleman, every morning he would arrive in suit and tie for breakfast….wearing running shoes.
Rest in peace.
speedy lee - May 11, 2017
RIP Charles
I wish I had met this amazing man in Daegu!
A wonderful life story of remaining true to yourself and never giving up the quest for whats next.
INSPIRATIONAL.
Ken has followed track as an athlete, writer and web-master since the late 1960s, and saw most sessions of track and field at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also attended the 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Trials, the last three as a blogger and Patch correspondent. [More...]
3 Responses
RIP, Mr, Eugster.
Sorry to hear that he passed away. My condolences to his family.
I had met him in Daegu where a British TV crew was making a documentary about him, and we were staying in the same hotel.
Like a true gentleman, every morning he would arrive in suit and tie for breakfast….wearing running shoes.
Rest in peace.
RIP Charles
I wish I had met this amazing man in Daegu!
A wonderful life story of remaining true to yourself and never giving up the quest for whats next.
INSPIRATIONAL.
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