50-year-old German athlete makes Winter Olympic history

Pechstein, 49, turns 50 two days after the Olympics end and is also the oldest woman to compete at a Winter Games

Germany's five-time gold medallist Claudia Pechstein has become the first woman to compete at eight Winter Olympics, Qazet.az informs, citing foreign media.

Pechstein, 49, turns 50 two days after the Olympics end and is also the oldest woman to compete at a Winter Games.

She crossed the line with her arms raised up high and with a big smile at the National Speed Skating Oval in the Chinese capital on Saturday when she competed in the 3000m event.

The only other athlete who has competed at eight Games is the Japanese men's ski jumper Noriaki Kasai.