The world's oldest surviving Olympian has been hailed after he died on Monday.
The family of Uruguayan sailor Felix Sienra have confirmed that he passed away in his sleep, having reached the age of 107. His daughter Magdalena, poignantly said: "He took off the captain's armband and got out of the boat."
The Montevideo-born star, who had only celebrated his latest birthday on January 21, was also a doctor of law. But he was famed for representing his country in the 1948 London Olympics, coming second in Race 2 of the Firefly class and finishing sixth overall.
And last month, he gave a public interview insisting he felt healthy and was in good condition: “I feel good, I feel fit. But I don’t get into a sailing boat anymore," he said.
Seven years previously though, he had enjoyed a final jaunt on the water: "The last time I did that was when I turned 100," added Sienra. "At that time we made a multi-day trip to a paradise island."
On Twitter, @FArrechea paid tribute, and revealed who now takes over his mantle: "RIP Felix Sienra," he wrote. "A few days ago we celebrated his 107th birthday. Now the oldest Olympian is the athlete Yvonne Chabot-Curtet (Olympian in 1948, 1952). She is 102 years old."
The female long jumper represented France in London, finishing eighth in the final. She didn't fare as well in Helsinki four years later, coming 23rd overall.
Sienra also served on his country's Olympic board, and the organisation said in a statement: "We regret to announce the death of Félix Sienra, former vice president of the Uruguayan Olympic Committee and representative of the Uruguayan flag in Sailing at the London Olympic Games in 1948."
Euro Weekly have claimed Sienra was possibly the last "surviving contemporary witness" who saw Uruguay's 4-2 win over Argentina in the 1930 World Cup final. He said in his interview month: "I then celebrated the win with friends. We grilled fish and drank a lot of wine. That night was the first and last time I got really drunk."
