Gazeta Lodz - Still in the game: Athletes who made comeback in their 40s

AFP Sports picks out a quintet of other sports legends who returned to competition with some finding the saying life begins at 40 is indeed true:

Allyson Felix

She may be the most decorated woman in Olympics athletics history with 11 medals but she is hungry for more and is eyeing a comeback in her hometown Los Angeles in 2028.

The 40-year-old American has just the one individual gold to her name -- the 200 metres in London in 2012 -- and told Time magazine in April: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime homecoming".

Felix, who also won a record 20 medals at the World Championships including four individual titles, was frank about her chances.

"I know, at 40, I am not at my peak. I have no illusions about that," said Felix.

Lindsey Vonn

The American ski icon's comeback may have ended with her in a hospital bed and coming close to having her left leg amputated after a horror fall at this year's Winter Olympics but for a while it seemed she would have a fairytale ending.

Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, had come out of retirement aged 40 after being away for almost six years, and last season won two downhill World Cup races.

However, she arrived at the Milano-Cortina Games already hindered by torn knee ligmaents in her left leg.

She said in April she had no regrets and would "do it all again".

"I was strong no matter my age, and I was ready," Vonn told ESPN.

George Foreman

Foreman was a sullen character when he won the heayweight title in 1973, inflicting 'Smokin' Joe Frazier’s first defeat, but was dethroned by Muhammad Ali a year later in the epic "Rumble in the Jungle" in then Zaire.

'Big George' stepped away from the ring in 1977 but returned 10 years later aged 38. Not only did he still pack a punch but he had transformed into a jocular giant, the surliness replaced by a grin and ready quips.

Aged 45, he was once again crowned heavyweight world champion, taking down Michael Moorer, 19 years his junior.

"When you fight for the heavyweight championship of the world it does feel unbelievable, it doesn’t feel like you're really there, it could be a dream," he said in 2023 reflecting on the two times he was crowned world champion.

"You're going to wake up soon, you don't belong in the ring with these guys.

"The second time around, I could deal with all those thoughts. It was a special moment, more so, than when I won the fight with Frazier."

Michael Schumacher

The German Formula One legend surprised many when after a three-year hiatus the seven-time world champion announced he was returning to the circuit for the 2010 season at the age of 41.

His return came with another German titan, Mercedes, who themselves were back in Formula One after being absent since 1955.

In his three seasons with them he never came close to adding another crown but his third-placed finish in the 2012 European Grand Prix aged 43 made him the oldest podium finisher since 1970.

Many felt he had made a terrible error, not least his former manager Willi Weber.

"Let's say, this was, even in hindsight, the stupidest thing he could do," Weber said in 2020.

Lester Piggott

Arguably the greatest ever jockey, the nine-time Epsom Derby winner produced a fairytale ride on Royal Academy in the million-dollar 1990 Breeder's Cup Mile aged 54.

The victory brought the house down at Belmont Park, New York State, and provoked many tears, though, not from the great man himself.

He did allow himself a smile as he returned to a thunderous reception as he had only returned to the saddle 12 days previously after a five-year hiatus -- one of those spent in prison for tax avoidance.

Piggott said: "I needed a large dose of luck even to be here."

V.Staniszewski--GL