The clock is ticking down on the old guard of elite sportsmen – or so it seemed. But recent performances have rewritten the rulebook: 40-year-old Luka Modrić conjuring magic for Croatia against England, while Lewis Hamilton, 41, still pushing Formula One to its limits and Serena Williams, 44, defying time with a wildcard spot at Wimbledon's women's doubles, prove that top athletes are extending their careers further than ever.
This trend is not limited to the beautiful game or tennis – in fact, it's a broader phenomenon where careers once considered beyond the grave are becoming increasingly common. Take the numbers: since 1992, the average age of Olympians has risen from 25 to 27. In football, top male players have climbed from an average age of 26 in 1990 to 27 in 2018, while their female counterparts saw an increase from 23 to 26 over the same period.
Dr Liam Anderson, an exercise physiologist at the University of Birmingham, reveals that sports science is playing a starring role in slowing down the ageing process. Combine this with decades of experience, and athletes can maintain a high level of performance well into their careers. Some sports – like football's goalkeeping fraternity – naturally lend themselves to longevity, while others, such as sprinting, see earlier declines.
But don't be fooled: physiological changes associated with ageing still impact performance. Dr Paul Hough, a sport and exercise scientist at the University of Westminster, notes that speed-intensive sports see faster declines in explosiveness and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). However, qualities like muscle endurance tend to hold up longer – as evidenced by marathon runners' success at the Tokyo Olympics, where the average age was 30 for men and 31 for women.
Age is also a great teacher – tactical awareness, anticipation, decision-making, and emotional control often improve with experience. Dr Anderson highlights that athletes adapt their game to compensate for minor physical declines. Take Cristiano Ronaldo's transition from a speed-reliant winger to a more central forward, where his improved game reading and tactical understanding shine through.
And it's not just about the body – in sports like sailing, shooting, and equestrianism, age can even be an advantage. The equestrians at the Tokyo Olympics had an average age of 39 for men and 36 for women, proving that experience counts for a lot more than youth.