In 1981 she won a European bronze medal in the 3000 m and later set a world record at the high-altitude rink of Medeo (3000 m, 4:21.70).
In 1984, she won European championships, setting two world records, in the 5000 m (7:39.44) and allround, and finished third at the world championships.
Next year she won a silver at the world championships, but then had no success until the 1987–88 season, when she set her fourth world record (4:14.76 in the 3000 m) and won two Olympics medals.
She retired soon after the 1988 Olympics and worked as a physiotherapist.Personal bests:
500 m – 41:93 (1981)
1000 m – 1:22.00 (1988)
1500 m – 2:04.98 (1988)
3000 m – 4:16.76 (1988)
5000 m – 7:21.61 (1988)