Pechstein, German most decorated  speed skater not in a hurry to quit at  52

Admin I Monday, March 11, 2024

 

BERLIN – Germany’s most decorated winter Olympian Claudia Pechstein has said she plans to continue her long speed skating career next season at the age of 52.

“I will prepare for the season in the normal way. And when it starts I will hopefully be fit and compete again,” Pechstein told dpa at the weekend’s allround world championships in Inzell.

Pechstein won a 43rd national title in October in the 5,000 metres and was part of the World Cup team. But she failed to qualify for the February worlds in Calgary over 5,000m, and for Inzell.

“Of course I would like to have competed in front of the home fans. But I concentrated on the 5,000m. I know where my strength is, and that is not the allround,” Pechstein said.

Pechstein has skated at a women’s record eight Winter Olympics between 1992 and 2022 and with five gold, two silver and two bronze is Germany’s most successful athlete at the snow and ice Games. She also has 42 medals from world championships, including six golds.

Before the next season Pechstein aims to complete a coaching bachelor degree, and she would not rule out working for the national federation DESG in the future.

Also set before the new season, in October, is a trial at a Munich district court in which Pechstein is seeking millions in compensation from the world governing body ISA in a long legal battle against a two-year ban in 2009 for suspicious blood values in her biological passport.

Pechstein has protested her innocence throughout, and said she was confident, desite various legal setbacks over the years.

“I still have nothing to blame myself for. That’s why it can only end in my favour – finally, I hope,” she said.