New Zealands oldest surviving Olympian, Harold Nelson, has passed away, aged 88. A long distance runner, Nelson competed in the London 1948 Olympic Games, at which he was the team captain and flag bearer. He won gold and silver in the 6 mile and 3 mile track races respectively at the Auckland 1950 British Empire Games. Nelson attended Otago Boys High School, where he discovered his talent for long distance running was influenced by having an enlarged heart, which improved his endurance. After competing at the Games as Olympian #57, he served in in the Air Force in World War II, and then dedicated his life to teaching. He became the countrys oldest Olympian in 2009. Of the two remaining London 1948 Games competitors Maurice (Pom) Crowe, Olympian #52 (weightlifting), is now the oldest Olympian at the age of 87. The other being Ngaire Galloway #56 (swimming).
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