 As a result of the lack of competition during, and shortly after, World War II, Seyffarth entered the 5,000 m as the world record holder, a record he had set almost exactly seven years earlier, in 1941.During his heat, Seyffarth seemed to be winning until a photographer tried to take a picture of him and stepped onto the ice.Seyffarth brushed the photographer, losing several seconds, and went on to lose his heat and finally come in seventh overall.