Second career path planned
Pechstein continues his career and fights for millions
March 11, 2024, 7:39 a.m
Eight Olympic participations and no end: speed skater Claudia Pechstein continues her career. However, they were unable to qualify for the home World Championships in Inzell this year. There are two important events coming up, professionally and legally.
She can’t get enough of her sport: Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein will continue her great and dazzling career even at the age of 52. “I will prepare for the season as normal. When it starts, hopefully I will be fit and will compete again,” said the Berliner to the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the all-around world championships in Inzell.
Last October, Pechstein won her 43rd national title at the German Championships in Inzell over 5,000 meters. Last season she was part of the German World Cup team, but had to miss the start in Quebec, Canada due to neck problems. She was in Inzell as a World Cup ambassador for the German Speed Skating and Short Track Association (DESG).
She did not qualify for the home World Cup. “Of course I would like to be there in front of my home crowd. But I focused specifically on the 5000 meters during the season and also had the individual distances in my sights. I know where my strengths lie, and that’s not the all-around,” emphasized Pechstein.
The five-time Olympic champion is currently completing a coaching degree. “I’ll finish at the end of September, and the graduation ceremony will be at the beginning of October. I hope that I’ll get my diploma with a bachelor’s degree,” she said. It remains to be seen whether Pechstein will then become a trainer at DESG. “I’ve wanted to pass on my experiences as a coach for years, I’ve had it in my head for years. Where, when, how? We’ll see when the time comes. But of course it would be stupid to use the experiences of someone who has been successful for many years A speed skater wouldn’t use it,” said the federal police officer.
Before the World Cup series starts in Asia next season, Pechstein will face the hoped-for end of her legal dispute with the world association Isu. On October 24th, the Munich Higher Regional Court will hear her million-dollar lawsuit for damages and compensation for pain and suffering. The eight-time Olympic participant was banned for two years by the world association in February 2009 because of abnormal blood values. Pechstein denies any doping. Despite numerous setbacks, she is relatively positive about the process. “Because I still have nothing to blame myself for. That’s why it can only work out for me – finally, I hope,” she said.