Cyclist Jeannie Longo of France: Seven Olympics & Counting

I first met Jeannie Longo of France more than 20 years ago. She was part of the Celestial Seasonings/Red Zinger team competing in the Coors International Bicycle Classic in Colorado.

Jeannie Longo, 49, of France, among the 10 oldest Beijing Olympians

Longo was the best women’s cyclist in the world. She was in her mid-20s then, fiery, charming and tough on the bike. Like a lot of the French of the time, she wore an ascot with her non-cycling clothes. I immediately liked her, the opposite of most of her competitors, whom she sometimes called “silly girls.” Her rivals may still not like her, but they respect her. She’s known as “Queen Jeannie.”

It’s been a decade or so, but I always enjoyed interviewing Longo through the years. She may be the greatest athlete in the world, who’s largely unknown outside of cycling. She can be polite, she can critical and she can still ride.

Longo, 49, the 1996 road race gold medalist, will be competing in her seventh Olympics in Beijing. She’ll be among the oldest athletes participating in China.

Here’s the list of the 10 oldest athletes competing inn (according to Reuters), their country and sport in which they’re scheduled to participate.

Hiroshi Hoketsu, 67, Japan, equestrian
Laurie Lever, 60, Australia, equestrian
John Dane, 58, USA, sailing
Susan Nattrass, 57, Canada, shooting
Mark Todd, 52, New Zealand, equestrian
Iain Murray, 50, Australia, sailing
Luan Jujie, 50, Canada, fencing
Jeannie Longo, 49, France, cycling
Ralf Schumann, 46, Germany, shooting
Dara Torres, 41, United States, swimming