After the run in the history books, Claudia Pechstein felt pure relief and great pride.
The speed skater had struggled for almost four years to dream of another start at the Olympics on the world's ice rinks, and on Sunday the effort finally paid off: As an almost 50-year-old, Pechstein took part in Beijing (February 4 to 20) participated in the winter games eighth time - a woman has never competed more often.
“This is the absolute highlight of my sporting career,” said Pechstein, “when it was clear that I could take part in the Olympics for the eighth time, I could have hugged the whole world.” The decision was made in the mass start race at the World Cup in Calgary, Canada. Pechstein took eleventh place and thus fulfilled the second part of the standard of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), which requires two top 15 placements in one discipline. In the World Cup ranking, Pechstein also achieved the required top 24 placement as 17th.
“The pressure was enormous. Now I'm just overjoyed that I made it. For me, this is the perfect culmination of my career, ”said the five-time Olympic champion Pechstein. The dream almost burst in the mass start semifinals. In eleventh place, she would have missed the final, but national coach Helge Jasch protested because of a nudge from Swiss Nadja Wenger before the last sprint ranking. The video evidence gave Jasch right. Wenger was disqualified and the field of finalists increased from 16 to 18. Pechstein was able to advance to the final as a victim of the push and did not let the chance be taken.
“That was of course an extreme strain on Claudia’s nerves. It is admirable how she avoided it and then bought the Olympic ticket in the final, ”said Jasch. Pechstein is adding another chapter to her long, successful career. In 1992 she was on Olympic ice for the first time in Albertville. She won gold five times and has collected nine Olympic medals in total. The 2010 Games in Vancouver, which she missed because of her controversial suspension due to high blood values, remain a shadow on her Olympic career.
Another medal in Beijing is illusory - and neither is the Berlin woman's claim.
Participation alone is a huge success.
So far, only the Japanese ski jumper Noriaki Kasai has made eight starts at the Winter Games.
Pechstein, who should have good cards in the upcoming flag bearer discussion, is one of five German speed skaters in Beijing.
In addition to Pechstein, Michelle Uhrig, Felix Rijhnen, Joel Dufter and Patrick Beckert can plan for a trip to Asia.