Roger Lebranchu, Oldest French Male Olympian, Dies At 102

Roger Lebranchu, Oldest French Male Olympian, Dies At 102

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Roger Lebranchu, a World War II veteran and the oldest French Olympian, died on Friday. He was 102.

He was a member of the London 1948 French rowing team and a former member of the Resistance.

Born on July 22, 1922, the Frenchman joined the Resistance in south-eastern France during the War.

In 1943, he was arrested and deported to the Buchenwald concentration camp and its annex at Schonebeck. He was evacuated in 1945.

The Neuilly-sur-Seine-native became the French rowing champion in 1946 and 1947. As per the  French Rowing Federation, he rowed till 79 and was a Commander of the Legion of Honor.

He carried the Olympic flame as it passed through Mont-Saint-Michel ahead of the Paris 2024.

The Olympian, specially trained with his grandson holding up a 1.5 litre water bottle, equivalent of the Olympic torch.