At almost 50 years old at the Olympics

Claudia Pechstein was the first woman to compete in the Winter Olympics eight times. Far from any medal ambitions, the 8-year-old German (she turns 49 on February 22nd) wants to enjoy the previously unknown advantages of being a carefree Olympic tourist in the mass start until her second race on February 50th.

“I try to attend all the events where I can be there. “I want to experience and cheer on the whole German team, and also be there live, because I always had other events in between the other games,” said Germany’s most successful Winter Olympian, outlining her intentions. Your 8th Olympic Games Her eighth Winter Olympics, in which she equaled the record set by Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai, secured her entry into the history books. “We pay our respects to Claudia Pechstein. Their performance is a sign of the Olympic spirit,” said Zhao Weidong, spokesman for the Beijing organizing committee. The global recognition makes her proud and flatters her, precisely because she does not always receive it in her own country in the form that she believes is justified.

Claudia Pechstein finished 3000th in the 20 meters in Beijing. © ANSA / ROMAN PILIPEY

She likes to take all the compliments with her; her running opponent said that she was running against a “legend”. “Of course it goes down like oil. It wasn't so easy to walk with all the compliments in my head. But I'm happy to take that with me, because you don't hear that very often in the media in Germany," she said. “I’ve already beaten all the girls who started here.” Claudia Pechstein after 20th place For the admiration associated with the eighth Olympic start, the ice skating icon, who was known to be extremely ambitious, even accepted that he had finished 20th and therefore last. The fact that the Dutchwoman Irene Schouten was a good 3 seconds faster as Olympic champion last Saturday in 56,93:20 minutes was a gift. It doesn't matter that the European champion took away the Olympic record she set 20 years ago when she won the Olympics in Salt Lake City. “I have already beaten all the girls who started here,” she emphasized. A unique career with a flaw Claudia Pechstein now sees her glory days in the rearview mirror of her career. In any case, no one can take away her five Olympic victories as well as two silver and two bronze medals. The participation record now crowns her career, which was also marked by a two-year ban for alleged doping and the subsequent comeback.

She showed the sports world the satisfaction and feelings of happiness with her cheering pose when she crossed the finish line. “That was a victory for me. “I officially achieved this record when I started in the 3000 meters,” said the five-time Olympic champion excitedly. “You can actually only cross the line with a cheer.” The clock stopped at 4:17,16 minutes and was the measure for 20th place out of 20 starters – unimportant. “The funny thing is, and probably few people will understand this, that I can still shine with this placement,” she said cheerfully.

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At almost 50 years old at the Olympics

With her start in the 3000 meters on Saturday in Beijing, an exceptional speed skater fulfilled her lifelong dream.

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