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Women's long track
By Stephen Speckman
Deseret News staff writer
The biggest development in ladies long-track speedskating for the 2002 Olympics won't actually reveal itself for another seven months.
German skater Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann is pregnant and expecting a baby by June 2002.
According to Speedskating.com, Niemann-Stirnemann and her husband had been planning to have a child after she retired. This will be their first.
That takes her out of competition, providing some relief for U.S. skaters Jennifer Rodriguez, two-time Olympic medalist Chris Witty and Catherine Raney. In the past, the German skater's strengths have been the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters.
Niemann-Stirnemann, 35, already an eight-time Olympic medalist, was expected to break a record in the 2002 Winter Games with the most Olympic medals for a woman by winning three more medals. Three of her medals are gold, four are silver and one is bronze. She holds a record eight all-around World Championship titles.
"Both her achievements and longevity have been impressive," U.S. Speedskating spokesman Nick Paulenich said. "She is one of the sport's all-time greats."
The German team still has the double threat of Anna Friesinger and Claudia Pechstein. Both are expected to win medals in February.
The only other known expectant parent in long-track speedskating is U.S. Speedskating's Derek Parra, whose wife is due to deliver in December. Parra has already qualified for the Olympic team and is expected to compete.
E-MAIL: sspeckman@desnews.com
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November 29, 2001
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