Charles Eugster, the best-selling author and record-breaking athlete, who took up sprinting at the age of 95, has died in London at the age of 97. His publicist confirmed he passed away on Wednesday evening from complications following heart failure
A Life of Fitness and Inspiration
Charles Eugster was born in London in 1919 to Swiss parents. He studied dentistry at the University of Zurich and had a successful career as a dentist in Switzerland and the UK. He was also a keen rower and skier and competed in several international events
However, he was not satisfied with his physical condition as he grew older. He felt that his body was deteriorating and he wanted to regain his strength and vitality. He said: “I looked in the mirror one morning, and I didn’t like what I saw.”
At the age of 85, he decided to join a bodybuilding club and started lifting weights and taking whey protein supplements. He also resumed sprinting and became a sensation in the masters athletics circuit. He broke several world records in his age group, including the 100m, 200m, and 400m sprints, as well as the long jump. He also won over 120 rowing events, including 46 masters gold medals, and competed three times at the Henley Royal Regatta
He was invited to give a TEDx talk in Zurich in 2012, where he explained why bodybuilding at age 93 was a great idea. He said: “The idea of me joining a bodybuilding club was to try to regain those qualities that we normally associate with youth: the beauty, the sex appeal, the charm.”
He also wrote a book, titled Age is Just a Number, which was published earlier this year. He promoted it with the catchphrase “you are never too old to try something new”. He shared his secrets of success and his philosophy of life, which was based on three principles: work, diet, and exercise. He said: “Work is the most important thing for a good old age. It gives you a reason to get up in the morning, a purpose, a challenge, and social contacts.”
A Legacy of Changing the World
Charles Eugster never sought physical immortality, but he wanted to change the world and make advanced old age a different experience. He wanted to show that ageing does not have to be a decline, but an opportunity to reinvent oneself and achieve new goals. He wanted to inspire people of all ages to take care of their health and fitness and to pursue their passions. He said: “My aim is to change the world. I want to make old age something wonderful, stupendous, glorious, fantastic.”
His son, Andre, said: “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.”
His legacy, however, will live on, having inspired thousands around the world with his remarkable achievements and his positive attitude. He proved that age is just a number and that anything is possible with determination, discipline, and enthusiasm. He was a role model for living a full and happy life, no matter how old you are. He said: “You can do anything you want to do, if you put your mind to it.”
