Claudia Pechstein writes history
Flag bearer Pechstein wrote history with her eighth Olympic participation in the speed skating competition over 3000 meters. She’s the first woman ever to do it. For Pechstein, being there was everything: the 49-year-old, who holds the Olympic record over this distance (3:57.70 minutes in 2002), didn’t think she had any chance of a medal even before the competition.
No chance in a direct duel
In a direct duel, the German had to deal with the Chinese Adake Ahenaer – and had no chance. Pechstein finished almost five seconds behind her opponent. Pechstein had postulated before the competition that she didn’t want to be “last”, which unfortunately didn’t work out. So she ended up 20th – but no one takes her place in the history books anymore.
