Olympics-Germany's record Winter Olympian Pechstein to carry flag

2022 Beijing Olympics - Speed Skating - Training - National Speed Skating Oval, Beijing, China - February 2, 2022. Claudia Pechstein of Germany in action during training. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BEIJING (Reuters) - Germany's record Winter Olympics medallist Claudia Pechstein, who was banned for doping in the past, and bobsledder Francesco Friedrich will carry their country's flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games, the team said on Thursday.

Pechstein, a 49-year-old speedskater who will be competing in her eighth Olympics having won a German Winter Games record of nine medals, including five golds, has had a remarkably resilient Olympic career starting in 1992.