Here is all you need to know about the youngest Olympian to have ever participated in the history of the games
Taking part in the Olympics is a privilege only the best of the best get to cherish. But taking part even before your teens is something out of this world.
Since the Olympics’ origin in 1896 people across a wide spectrum of ages have taken part in the games. Right from pre-teens to athletes over 70 have represented their nations.
So, who is the youngest ever Olympian to take part in the games?
The youngest ever to do it was Dimitrios Loundras of Greece. He was a Greek Gymnast who took part in the inaugural summer Olympic Games in 1896, Athens, Greece.
Loundras was just 10 years and 218 days old when he took part in the parallel bars team event.
The boy, then a part of Ethnikos Gymnastikos Syllogos, considered to be one of the oldest multi-sport clubs in Greece, struck bronze, after placing third in the event.
Although there have been reports that a 7-year old took part in the 1900 Olympic Games, as a coxswain for the Dutch rowing team, there haven’t been solid reports to validate the same. The participant has not been officially recognized.
Dimitrios Loundras later life
Loundras, then became a naval officer. He was a part of the Royal Hellenic Navy of Greece. Loundras graduated from the Hellenic Naval Academy in 1905, when he was hardly 20.
He fought in the World War 1 that took place from 1914 to 1918. The highest position he reached was the vice admiral, when he retired in 1945.
Although, Loundras, initially retired in 1935 as a rear admiral, he was later called upon during the Greco-Italian war in 1940.
It is believed that he also served as a Lesbos Prefecture in the year 1936.
Who is the youngest Olympian at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games?
The 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo, have a handful of youngins as well.
The youngest Olympian at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was Hend Zaza of Syria. The female table tennis player was just 12 years and 204 days old when she made her Olympic debut on the 24th of July against Austria’s Liu Jia.
Although, she lost the match, Zaza still has a long way to go in her table tennis career. The Syrian also became the youngest Olympian at the Olympics since 1992, when a 11-year old Carlos Front took centre stage in rowing.
FAQs about Dimitrios Loundras
Dimitrios Loundras was born on the 6th of September in 1885.
Dimitrios Loundras was just 10 years and 218 days old when he took part in the Olympic Games.
Dimitrios Loundras participated in the team Gymnastics event.
Dimitrios Loundras won the Bronze medal at the team event in Gymnastics.
Dimitrios Loundras was an Olympian and later became a naval officer. He was also a World War veteran.
Dimitrios Loundras died at the age 85 when he passed away on the 15th of February in 1971.
Dimitrios Loundras of Greece is the youngest ever medalist in the history of the Olympic Games.
Dimitrios Loundras of Greece was the oldest surviving participant of the inaugural Olympic Games, until his death in 1871.