Oldest Olympic medallist (male)

Oscar Swahn (Sweden, b. 20 October 1847) was 72 years 281 days old when he won a silver medal as a member of the men's 100 m running deer (double shots) shooting team on 27 July 1920 at the Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.

The men's 100 m running deer (double shots) team shooting event was scheduled for 26 July 1920, but was interrupted owing to rain in the afternoon and only completed on 27 July 1920.

Swahn became the oldest Olympic gold medallist when, at 64 years 258 days old, his team won the men's 100 m running deer (single shot) shooting event at his home Games in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1912 (see record ID 44749).

Swahn, who was born on 20 October 1847 in Tanum, Sweden, and died on 1 May 1927, also won two gold medals at the London 1908 Games (men's running deer (single shot) and men's team running deer (single shot)) and bronze medals at London 1908 (running deer (double shots)) and Stockholm 1912 (100 m running deer (double shots)).

In all team competitions that Swahn entered at the 1908, 1912 and 1920 Games, he was accompanied by his son Alfred, who won two gold medals, one silver and one bronze in individual events.

A more accurate description of the running deer event would be running target as they were not shooting at deer but a deer-shaped target with concentric circles!

Artist John Copley (UK, b. 26 June 1875) won a silver medal at the 1948 Olympic Games in the mixed painting, engravings and etchings category. As the London Olympics started on 29 July 1948 and concluded on 14 August, Copley would have been at least 73 years 34 days at the time of collecting his silver medal. However, the IOC no longer officially recognizes medals awarded in non-competitive sports, leaving Swahn as the record holder.