Speed skating is one of the most high-octane events on the Olympic Winter Games calendar and one certainly not to be missed.
The Milano Speed Skating Stadium will witness the world’s best go up against one another across 14 events – seven for men and seven for women.
With gold medal glory on the line, here’s all you need to know about the sport…
How long has short track speed skating been at the Olympics?
Speed skating made its Olympic debut at Chamonix in 1924, when just five individual men’s races were held.
Finland’s Clas Thunberg was the most successful athlete during speed skating’s inaugural Games, winning three gold medals, back when athletes wore suit jackets, ties and wooly hats to compete.
It wasn’t until 1960 that women’s events were included in the Winter Olympic programme.
What is the difference between speed skating and short track speed skating?
Speed skating takes place on a 400m track – similar to the athletics track in a summer Olympics – while short track takes place on a smaller track measuring 111.2m.
It’s not just the circuit length that is different however, there are other factors too.
Speed skating is a battle against the clock. Two athletes compete simultaneously but the time they set is the all-important factor. The only exception is the mass start event, which was introduced ahead of PyeongChang 2018.
Skaters must change lanes every lap in the long-track format. The skater changing from the outside lane to the inside has right-of-way.
In the team pursuit, two teams of each three to four skaters are allowed to race at once. Both teams remain in the inner lane for the duration of the race and start on opposite sides of the rink, similar to the track cycling event of the same name.
In comparison, short track athletes compete against each other over a series of rounds, meaning tactics are crucial during the fast and furious jostle for positions.
Which events form the Olympic programme?
The men’s schedule features the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m, mass start and team pursuit and 10000m events, while the women’s schedule differs slightly in the fact it has the 3000m event instead of the 10000m.
The women’s 3000m gold will be decided on Day 1 of the Games on 7 February – one of 14 golds up for grabs.
The sport then continues with action on 11 of the next fourteen days until 22 February.
Which nations are the most successful in short track speed skating?
The Netherlands are speed skating’s most successful nation, with 133 medals, 48 of which have been gold, while Norway have won 87 medals, with USA claiming 71.
Only 12 countries have reached double figures for Winter Olympic medals in the sport while Dutch star Ireen Wüst is the most successful athlete ever – winning 13 medals overall including a joint record of six golds.
What is Team GB’s record in speed skating?
Team GB are yet to win a Winter Olympic medal in speed skating, but Cornelius Kersten and Ellia Smeding became the first British athletes to participate in the sport at a Games since 1992 when they competed at Beijing 2022.
What equipment is required?
Athletes were specially designed speed suits and helmets to make them as aerodynamically streamline as possible.
In contrast to hockey and figure skates, the skates used in speed skating stop at the ankle and are designed more like a shoe than a boot, facilitating greater ankle compression.
The blades vary in length from 30 to 45 cm, depending on the skater's age and height. Speed skates, often referred to as clap skates, connect to a hinge located at the front of the boot.
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