Feroze Khan, the oldest Olympic gold medalist and one of Pakistan’s most famous field hockey players, died on April 20. Cause of death was not released. He was 100.
Born in Basti Danishmandan, India, Khan was just a child when he first picked up a tree branch and began playing field hockey. As an inside right and center forward, Khan was known for being fast and clever. He played for Uttar Pradesh, Aligarh University and Bombay Customs, then landed a coveted spot on the pre-independence country’s first Olympic hockey team.
During the 1928 Games in Amsterdam, Khan led India to a 9-0 victory against Belgium by scoring five goals, including a hat-trick. The Indian team made its mark in international hockey by taking home the gold.
“I won the gold medal in Amsterdam because of discipline and commitment. That is what the present day players have to strive for,” Khan once told Reuters.
After having a falling out with Indian selectors in the 1950s, Khan immigrated to Pakistan. He never represented Pakistan as a player, but coached several teams and served as a national selector for the Pakistan Hockey Federation. Last September, the International Olympic Committee honored Khan on his 100th birthday for being the oldest living Olympic gold medal winner.