Olympics-Speed skating-German Pechstein becomes oldest female Winter Olympian at 49

Feb 5, 2022; Beijing, China; Claudia Pechstein (GER) in the Women’s Speed Skating 3000m during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Speed Skating Oval. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

BEIJING (Reuters) - Claudia Pechstein became the oldest female Winter Olympian when she raced in the 3,000 metres speed skating at the Beijing Games on Saturday.

Already the first woman to win five consecutive medals at the Winter Games, the 49-year-old Pechstein carried Germany's flag at Friday's opening ceremony, but came 20th and last in her event.