Australia's oldest Olympian dies aged 98

Basil Dickinson, an Australian triple jumper who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, has died at his NSW home at the age of 98.

Australia's oldest surviving Olympian, Basil Dickinson, has died at his Blue Mountains home aged 98. (AAP)

Australia's oldest surviving Olympian Basil Dickinson, who competed in triple jump at the 1936 Berlin Games, has died at age 98.

Born on the first Anzac Day, April 25, 1915 in Queanbeyan, Dickinson died on Monday at his home in the NSW Blue Mountains.

AOC president John Coates praised Dickinson as a credit to his sport and country.

"Basil was a remarkable man, very friendly, a great gentleman with a quick wit," said Coates.

"He was our most senior Olympic competitor and one that we all treasure for the standards he set for the Olympians who followed over the next 70 years."

As a 21-year-old, Dickinson was one of 33 Australian athletes to compete at the 1936 Berlin Games, known at the time as "Hitler's Games", before the outbreak of World War II.

The team, many of whom had to save 200 pounds to make the trip to Germany, sailed for 41 days to get to Europe.

The Australians declined to give the Nazi salute as they passed Hitler's box during the Opening Ceremony, though they had been advised to do so by the German organisers.

Dickinson competed alongside triple jump teammate Jack Metcalfe, with the pair then ranked first and second in the world.

Metcalfe, who had broken the triple jump world record in 1935, won the bronze medal while Dickinson finished 16th with a jump of 14.48m.

As no more Olympics were held until London 1948 because of the war, Dickinson's Olympic career ended in Berlin but he won won bronze medals in both the long jump and triple jump at the 1938 Empire Games.

He enlisted in 1939 and after the war he worked in the insurance industry.

Dickinson's family has been offered the Olympic flag for use at his funeral.