”Old bats flying against the wind” focuses on how 12 Swedish women, aged 66-84 were able to form and reproduce a commitment to sport over time, and to translate this commitment into resilient strategies in old age. Primarily the women were able to form and maintain a commitment to sport through a) life course experiences of participating in sport, b) life course experiences of identity clashes and c) continuous male support. By drawing upon these experiences, the women were able to construct female ageing athletic identities through which they developed resilient strategies, an independent spirit and resistance to limiting norms. In short, although many of the women were faced with barriers which seemingly hindered them from practising their chosen sport they still found a way to keep swimming, running or skiing. ”Sports is life, really” one of the women reflected.