"I was smiling and sliding across the finish line."

On February 5, Peschstein was in the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Wei

From the air, the National Speed Skating Hall "Ice Ribbon" resembles the crystalline trajectory of an ice knife carved on the ice. On February 5, the Beijing Winter Olympics speed skating competition officially started here.

On the women's 3,000-meter track, when 22-year-old China's Akhnar Adak crossed the finish line, behind her, Claudia Pehistein of Germany, who was nearly fifty years old, gritted her teeth and threw her arms away, still sliding forward.

Applause rang out at the scene and was given to the veteran who was born on February 22, 1972. Every step she takes makes history: Counting from the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, Peschstein is currently the world's first female athlete to have participated in eight Winter Olympics.

The competition in speed skating was fierce, with the Dutch runners, who won the women's 3,000m, setting a new Olympic record held by Peschstein for 20 years. Compared with the powerful juniors, Peschstein's gliding rhythm is significantly slower. Although she finished last among the 20 contestants, she was happy after she skated across the finish line. "I was smiling and sliding across the finish line." Peschstein said, "I achieved my goal, and this is my eighth Olympic Games. ”

On February 22, Peschstein will celebrate his 50th birthday. "Someone said I was old 10 years ago, but I'm proud because I can still compete with young people." Walking into the mixed interview area after the game, Peschstein was smiling and radiant, just like he was then.

In 1992, at the age of 20, Pechstein was the youngest member of the German team and won the bronze medal on her first stand at the Winter Olympics. During her 30 years at the Winter Olympics, she won five gold medals. At the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, in the women's 5,000m, Pehistein set a new record for his best, shortening the time by about 20 seconds. "The secret of my success is to relax, be confident, and be the same on and off the pitch." She said.

There were no winning generals in the arena, and Peschstein's winter Olympics trip was not smooth. She had suffered setbacks, missing the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and had slipped in form, making it increasingly difficult to qualify for the Olympics. But as long as there is a glimmer of a chance, she will never give up.

Today, as she gets older, she is not in as good shape as before. The once familiar podium has also become distant, but when she stands on the field, she gives her all. In her eighth winter olympics, Peschstein's results were not ideal, ranking last, but she said: "This tournament is the peak of my sports career, today is more important than all my medals combined." ”

Love can withstand the long years. When speed skating became her pursuit, nothing could stop her from competing in the Winter Olympics. Akhnar Adak said: "It's a real honour to be in the same group as you. In the face of the respect of the young opponent, Peschstein gave encouragement: "You skate well, show your strength, and your future will get better and better." ”

People's Daily ( 2022-02-07 10th edition)