German Pechstein becomes oldest female Winter Olympian at 49
Pechstein became the oldest female Winter Olympian when she raced in the 3,000 meters 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. Although she finished more than 20 seconds behind Dutch gold medallist Irene Schouten who also took her Olympic record Pechstein raised her arms and looked relieved as she crossed the finishing line.
