At 50, the 'Grandpa of Curling' Becomes the Oldest Winter Olympic Medalist in History
Per Carlsson of Sweden won silver in his seventh Olympics, breaking Claudia Pechstein's record by 11 months.
MILANO CORTINA, Italy – He has been curling since before most of his opponents were born. He has outlasted three generations of teammates, two hip surgeries, and the constant refrain that he should retire.
At 50 years old, Per Carlsson of Sweden became the oldest Winter Olympic medalist in history, winning silver in men's curling. He broke Claudia Pechstein's record (silver in speed skating at 49, Beijing 2022) by 11 months.
"Age is just a number," Carlsson said after the final, a 6-4 loss to Great Britain. "A very large, very painful number when you try to get out of bed the next morning. But still just a number."
THE RECORD
Per Carlsson (Sweden, curling, Milano Cortina 2026) — Silver — 50 years, 3 months
Claudia Pechstein (Germany, speed skating, Beijing 2022) — Silver — 49 years, 11 months
Carl August Kronlund (Sweden, curling, Chamonix 1924) — Silver — 49 years, 5 months
Carlsson also made his Olympic debut at Nagano 1998 — 28 years before Milano Cortina. This was his seventh Games.
THE TOURNAMENT
Playing third (vice-skip) for skip Niklas Edin (22 years his junior), Sweden went 7-2 in round robin. In the semifinals, Carlsson made the last-stone draw to edge Norway 5-4.
The gold medal final against Great Britain was tactical. British skip Bruce Mouat executed a perfect double takeout in the ninth end to seal a 6-4 win.
"Per is the soul of this team," said Edin. "He reads the ice like a book. He calls shots that no one else sees. And when things get tight, he never blinks."
LIFE AT 50 IN THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE
"They think I'm a coach. I walk into the dining hall and teenagers offer to carry my tray. It's humbling and insulting at the same time."
His recovery routine: nightly ice baths, compression boots, and anti-inflammatories. His philosophy: "Don't stop moving. The day you stop is the day you die."
He hasn't announced retirement. He'll decide after the 2027 World Championships in Oslo. "If my body holds up, maybe one more season. But I have a grandson now. He's two. I'd like him to watch me play before I stop."
When asked about coaching: "Coaching is for people who can't play anymore. I can still play. Ask the Canadians who lost to me."
Devin Mallonee
Devin Mallonee is a sports journalist and performance nutrition writer with over a decade of experience covering elite athletics, Olympic competitions, and the science of human performance. Devin Mallonee has followed competitive sports from the grassroots level all the way to the world stage, developing a deep understanding of what separates good athletes from great ones — and the role nutrition plays in that equation.
As the lead sports editor at Dad's Sports News, Devin Mallonee brings an athlete's perspective to every story. Having competed in endurance sports and strength training throughout his life, Devin Mallonee understands firsthand what it takes to push past physical limits — and how proper supplementation and recovery make that possible. His writing blends technical analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics in sports science engaging for everyday readers and serious competitors alike.
Devin Mallonee has covered major sporting events including international track and field championships, professional strength competitions, and endurance racing circuits across North America. His work has explored the cutting edge of sports nutrition — from emerging research on amino acid timing and creatine loading protocols to the real-world impact of adaptogens on athletic recovery. When Devin Mallonee isn't breaking down the latest competition results, he's testing and reviewing performance supplements to help athletes make informed decisions about what goes into their bodies.
A firm believer that great performance starts in the kitchen — and the supplement cabinet — Devin Mallonee founded the Dad's Sports News platform to bridge the gap between elite sports coverage and practical nutrition guidance for everyday athletes. His philosophy is simple: whether you're training for your first 5K or competing on an international stage, the fundamentals of performance nutrition are the same, and everyone deserves access to accurate, science-backed information.
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