Claudia Pechstein had left her racing suit at home, but brought her sporting ambitions with her to Inzell. 30 years after her first of five Olympic victories and despite being 52 years old, the exceptional speed skater is continuing her career.
When next winter’s World Cup series starts in Asia at the end of November, the Berliner also wants to be on the ice again. “I will prepare for the season as normal. When it starts, hopefully I will be fit and will compete again,” she said in an interview with the German Press Agency on the sidelines of the all-around world championships.
Last October, the eight-time Olympic participant won the 5000 meters at the German Championships in Inzell, her 43rd national title. The fact that she is at least competitive on German ice rinks at her unusual age for competitive athletes also reveals a dilemma in the German speed skating and short track community (DESG): Nobody can follow in the footsteps of the former gold guarantors like Pechstein or her competitors, all of whom are no longer active, such as Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann, Anni Friesinger-Postma or Daniela Anschütz-Thoms.
Absolute world class is out of reach for Pechstein
“The era of Pechstein, Friesinger, Anschütz-Thoms, Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann was once there. It’s like the ’74 team or the ’90 team – and let’s see how long football has been without success,” said DESG President Matthias Große, who is also Pechstein’s partner. Pechstein himself hopes that German speed skating will “at some point be able to follow in the footsteps of all our successes.” She currently sees little chance of success. “It would of course be a dream if we could get there again. But it’s a long way,” said Pechstein.
In recent years, the exceptional athlete has made no secret of the fact that the absolute best in the world is now out of her reach. For the 21-year-old sprinter Anna Ostlender from Inzell, the former title collector is one thing above all, especially in joint courses: a role model. “I learned from her that you have to speak your mind, come out of your shell a little bit, act a little more confidently,” she said. She was able to learn a lot from her that was missing in Germany. “Claudia is the only high-ranking person in our team. Personally, I’ve been missing role models for a long time. She’s the only one from whom you can take something away,” said the WM-13. in the sprint all-around.
Pechstein wants to be a coach
Claudia Pechstein also wants to pass on her experiences when she ends her career on the ice. The five-time Olympic champion is currently completing a coaching degree. “I will finish at the end of September and the graduation ceremony will be at the beginning of October. I hope that I will get my diploma with a bachelor’s degree,” she said. It remains to be seen whether Pechstein will then become a trainer at DESG. “I’ve wanted to pass on my experiences as a coach for years, I’ve had it in my head for years. Where, when, how? We’ll see when the time comes. But of course it would be stupid to use the experiences of someone who has been successful for many years A speed skater wouldn’t use it,” said the federal police officer. “We will find a way,” promised Große.
Before the World Cup series starts in Asia at the end of November next season, Pechstein will face the hoped-for end of her legal dispute with the World Ice Skating Association Isu. On October 24th, the Munich Higher Regional Court will hear her million-dollar lawsuit for damages and compensation for pain and suffering. Pechstein was banned for two years by the world association in February 2009 because of abnormal blood values. She denies any doping. Despite numerous legal setbacks, she looks forward to the process relatively positively. “Because I still have nothing to blame myself for. That’s why it can only work out for me – finally, I hope.”
