In a few days, Claudia Pechtstein will celebrate her 50th birthday.
As a veteran of German speed skating, she is currently the world's first female athlete to participate in eight Winter Olympics. Her perseverance, relaxation and self-confidence have won the affectionate title of Chinese netizens for her - "Skating Grandma".
"The creator of history", the American media described her as such, in the post-match mixed area interview area, she smiled confidently, radiant, 49 years old, the oldest female player in the history of the Winter Olympics, was set by history as a well-deserved "first".
Germany's Claudia Peschstein at the tournament on February 5. On the same day, the beijing 2022 Winter Olympics speed skating women's 3000 meters final was held at the National Speed Skating Hall "Ice Ribbon". Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Wei
She began competing in the Olympics 30 years ago. Since 1992, from the youngest member of the German team to the "speed skating elder", Peschstein has won 5 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze and 9 Olympic medals, and the Olympic record of the speed skating women's 3000 meters created by her has been maintained for 20 years.
Germany's Claudia Peschstein after the match on Feb. 5. On the same day, the beijing 2022 Winter Olympics speed skating women's 3000 meters final was held at the National Speed Skating Hall "Ice Ribbon". Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Wei
"Someone said I was old 10 years ago, but I'm proud because I can still compete with young people. On February 5, 49-year-old Pehistein and 22-year-old Chinese teenager Adak stood on the starting line, and Pehistein smiled and adjusted his starting posture. Preparation, gunshots, an arc of lightning swept by, bending arms, straight sprinting, she always maintained her rhythm.
"I was smiling and sliding across the finish line." She said emotionally, "The important thing is that I came here, I slid to the finish line, and I am extremely proud of myself." "I achieved my goal and this is my eighth Olympic Games."
At the Beijing Winter Olympics, she once again ushered in the highlight of her life, and at the opening ceremony, as the flag bearer of the German delegation, Peschstein raised the German flag. "This tournament is the pinnacle of my sporting career and today is more important than all my medals combined.
Although she achieved the last result in this competition, she received countless applause and tributes. Some people have commented that some people use their achievements to make history, and some people stand on the field to be history. Peschstein, standing on the field, let us see: what is never to give up, what is to go all out.
(The original text is from the "People's Daily International" WeChat public account)