The "elder of speed skating" and the "king of snowmobiles" served as the standard-bearer of the German delegation at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics

Live bar On February 4, the German Olympic Sports League (DOSB, that is, the German Olympic Committee) issued a notice on the 3rd that Claudia Pechtstein, the "speed skating elder" who has participated in the seven Winter Olympic Games, and Francesco Friedrich, the "king of snowmobiles", will serve as the standard-bearer of the German delegation at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

The German Olympic Committee previously nominated 3 male athletes and 3 female athletes as standard-bearer candidates, and the final candidates were elected by public vote. More than 120,000 people voted, and in the end, The 49-year-old Pechstein received 37.43% of the vote and was elected female standard-bearer; Friedrich, 31, received 43.39% of the vote and was elected male standard-bearer.

German Olympic Committee Vice-President Werther said: "Choosing a flag bearer from the German team is a difficult choice because all six athletes deserve such an honor. For Pechstein and Friedrich, leading the German delegation at the opening ceremony tomorrow will be a very special moment in life. ”

Peschstein is about to become the first female athlete in the world to participate in eight Winter Olympics, but only for the second time to participate in the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics. She said: "It's a huge honour for me and I've given my all to have the opportunity to raise the flag for Germany in my career. As a record-setting veteran, I can't be more proud. My legs are old, but my heart is still young. ”

Friedrich said: "The feeling of being able to raise the flag and lead the German team to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics is fantastic, it is simply unbelievable, it is difficult to express in words. It's the same honor as I got the Olympic gold medal. ”

Pechstein's first appearance at the Winter Olympics was at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, where she won 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze. Friedrich won the men's double and quadruple snowmobile "double champion" at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the most world champion titles among active snowmobilers.

(Xinhua News Agency)