The longest span of an Olympic competitor is 40 years by: Dr Ivan Joseph Martin Osiier (Denmark) (1888-1965) in fencing, 1908-32 and 1948; Magnus Andreas Thulstrup Clasen Konow (Norway) (1887-1972) in yachting, 1908-20, 1928 and 1936-48; Paul Elvstrom (Denmark) in yachting, 1948-60, 1968-72 and 1984-88; and Durward Randolph Knowles (Great Britain 1948, then Bahamas) (b. 2 Nov 1917) in yachting, 1948-72 and 1988.