BUDAPEST, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian modern pentathlete Gabor Benedek, 98, has become the new longest-living Olympic gold medalist, Hungarian news agency MTI reported on Monday, after former Soviet Union footballer Nikita Simonyan passed away at the age of 99.

Simonyan, who was of Armenian origin, won Olympic gold with the Soviet team at the 1956 Melbourne Games. He turned 99 on October 12.

With Simonyan's passing, Benedek is now the oldest living Olympic gold medalist. Born on March 23, 1927, in Tiszafured, Benedek won team gold and individual silver at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, later adding world championship titles in both individual and team events.

Benedek has lived near Bonn, Germany, since 1970.

Hungary's Agnes Keleti, the five-time Olympic gymnastics champion who passed away on January 2 this year, shortly before her 104th birthday, remains the all-time oldest Olympic champion. ■