In her final race at the Winter Olympics, Czech speed skater Martina Sáblíková, renowned as the best in her sport's history, secured an 11th place finish in the women's 5000m event following a viral illness. The 38-year-old athlete displayed a commendable performance initially, maintaining pace with Italian Francesca Lollobrigida, who eventually claimed victory, replicating her success from a 3000m race earlier in the week. However, half-way through the race, Sáblíková began to struggle significantly, ultimately unable to maintain the competitive speed expected at this elite level.

Sáblíková’s recent illness, which led her to miss a critical early competition, added to the challenges she faced leading into these Games. She only returned to the ice on Wednesday, just two days before her last event, and this context makes her determination to compete all the more impressive, although it may have impacted her performance. By starting in this race, she also became the first Czech athlete to compete in six Winter Olympics, marking a significant milestone in her long and decorated career.

Fans and observers alike were grateful to witness Sáblíková's farewell performance, as she took a moment in the final stretch to wave goodbye to a supportive crowd that had followed her throughout her journey. Despite not reaching the podium, her legacy as a seven-time Olympic medalist remains firmly intact, and she has undoubtedly inspired a new generation of athletes with her resilience and dedication to the sport.