Stelios Bonas

Stelios Bonas was the oldest in a family of four seafaring and sailing brothers, one of whom, Spyros, would end up accompanying Stelios to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Khristos competed at the 1972 Munich Games, while Antonios represented Greece in 1972 and 1976. Before that, however, the brothers earned numerous accolades in competitive sailing, beginning in their teenage years.

During World War II, Stelios made a living as a fisherman during the occupation of Greece by Axis forces, and joined the Navy once the conflict had ended. The culmination of his sailing career came in 1956, when he and Spyros competed in the Sharpie class tournament in Melbourne, where they finished 12th among 13 nations. Stelios continued racing, however, and at his 90th birthday he was acknowledged as one of the oldest living sport sailors still competing. In addition to sailing, he also swam and rowed during his youth.