Record Olympian celebrates but: Pechstein has no chance

Record Olympian cheers but
Pechstein has absolutely no chance

Nearly 21 seconds slower than the winner, finishing last in the 3000m speed skating competition. Nevertheless, Claudia Pechstein is happy and content. The record Olympian celebrates her very personal “victory”.

Claudia Pechstein slid to the finish far behind and still spread her arms jubilantly – time and placement didn’t matter to her. The speed skater from Berlin has risen to become a record Olympian despite having no sporting chances in Beijing. “Few will understand that I can still shine with this placement. But I’m doing it because I’m very proud of it,” said Pechstein: “It was a win for me.”

One day after her appearance as the German flag bearer at the opening ceremony, the 49-year-old missed the top ten in the 3000-meter race, as expected. In her 20th Olympic race, Pechstein finished 20th and last in 4:17.16 minutes. She was almost 21 seconds behind the winner, Irene Schouten (3:56.93). The Dutchwoman also snagged Pechstein’s Olympic record, which dates from 2002. Silver went to Francesca Lollobrigida from Italy (3:58.06) ahead of Canada’s Isabelle Weidemann (3:58.64).

The five-time Olympic champion still had reason to be satisfied. The qualification for Beijing was already a success, in China she is taking part in the winter games for the eighth time. Pechstein is catching up with the only record holder so far, the Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai. In addition, no participant in the Winter Games was ever older.

“I can’t get out of the radiance today”

Pechstein opened the Beijing speed skating competitions 30 years after her debut in Albertville. In the first of ten duels over the short distance, she faced the 22-year-old Chinese Ahenaer Adake – and was quickly left behind. She was not able to keep up the pace of the first full lap (32.31 seconds) for long. In the end, the gap to Adake was almost five seconds. After crossing the finish line, Pechstein waved a smile in the direction of the sparsely occupied grandstands.

“It already played a role in my head. That’s why I couldn’t run at all, what I can do. I think you saw that too,” said Pechstein: “It doesn’t matter. I can’t get out of the beam today. ” Pechstein, who dominated long-distance racing in her heyday, is now a long way behind the world leaders. At least internationally, it is no longer about medals.

A short night lay behind Pechstein. On Friday evening she led the German team as flag bearer at the frosty opening ceremony alongside bobsleigh ace Francesco Friedrich. “I don’t know when I slept. I’m still enjoying the moment,” said Pechstein. There are very, very many Olympic champions: “Flag bearers, not so many. I am very proud that I can be part of this select circle.”

On Sunday, the men of the small German speed skating delegation will take part in the competition. Patrick Beckert from Erfurt and Felix Rijhnen, who made his debut at the Olympics, will fight for the medals over 5000 meters (9.30 a.m.CET).

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