Speed skating at the Winter Olympics facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speed skating at the Winter Olympics |
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| Governing body | ISU |
| Events | 14 (men: 7; women: 7) |
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Long track speed skating is a super exciting sport where athletes race on ice skates around a long oval track. It has been a part of the Winter Olympics since the very first winter games in 1924. For a long time, only men competed. But then, in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics, women's speed skating events were finally added to the Olympic program!
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Speed Skating at the Olympics: A Quick Look
Speed skating has been a part of almost every Winter Olympics. Here's a quick summary of how many events there were and which country did best in some of the games:
- In the first Winter Olympics in 1924, there were 5 speed skating events. Finland was the top nation.
- By 1960, with women's events added, there were 8 events, and the Soviet Union (URS) was very strong.
- The number of events kept growing! In 2018 and 2022, there were 14 speed skating events. The Netherlands (NED) has been a very successful country in recent years.
The Story of Olympic Speed Skating
The group that manages speed skating around the world is called the International Skating Union (ISU). This group was recognized when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) was created. They even thought about including speed skating in the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, but it didn't happen. However, figure skating, which the ISU also manages, was included!
Plans for speed skating were made for the 1916 Summer Olympics in Berlin. They planned for a competition with three different races, called an "all-round" event. But sadly, these games were cancelled because of World War I.
First Olympic Races
The first Winter Olympics happened in Chamonix in 1924. It was originally called the "International Winter Sports Week." This event included five speed skating races. This was special because it had both an all-round competition (where skaters competed in several distances) and individual medal races for 500 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters, and 10000 meters.
The all-round event was removed from the Olympics after the 1928 Games. Even so, it remained the main way to compete in the World Speed Skating Championships until the 1970s. Individual distance World Championships didn't start until 1996.
Changes in Racing Style
At the 1932 speed skating events, something different happened. The races were held using "North American rules." This meant skaters raced in small groups, or "packs," instead of racing alone against the clock. This style of racing actually helped lead to the development of short track speed skating later on!
The 1932 Games in Lake Placid, New York, also saw the first time women speed skaters were at the Olympics. They competed in special "demonstration events." This means their races were shown to the public, but they didn't get official Olympic medals. All the winners in these women's races were from North America. Women's events were planned for the 1940 Winter Olympics, but those games were cancelled. After World War II, women's speed skating was removed from the Olympic program by the IOC.
Women's Official Debut
Finally, at the 1960 Olympics in Squaw Valley, women's speed skating became an official medal sport! Women competed in the 500 meters, 1000 meters, 1500 meters, and 3000 meters.
New Events Added
Over the years, more events were added to the Olympic speed skating program:
- The 1000 meters race for men was added in 1976.
- The women's 5000 meters race made its Olympic debut in 1988.
- The newest event is the team pursuit, which was added for the 2006 Turin Games. This event is special because it was added to the Olympics even before it was a regular event at the main World Championships!
At the 2010 Winter Olympics, a skater named Haralds Silovs made history. He was the first athlete ever to compete in both short track and long track speed skating at the same Olympics. He even competed in both on the same day!
Speed Skating Events
Speed skating has different races for men and women.
- A • means it was an official event (medals were given).
- A (d) means it was a demonstration event (shown, but no official medals).
Men's Events
Men's speed skating events have been a part of the Winter Olympics since 1924.
- 500 metres: This short, fast race has been an official event since 1924.
- 1000 metres: This middle-distance race became an official event in 1976.
- 1500 metres: Another classic middle-distance race, official since 1924.
- 5000 metres: A longer endurance race, official since 1924.
- 10000 metres: The longest individual race, official since 1924.
- All-round: This event was only held in 1924.
- Mass start: A newer event where all skaters start at the same time, added in 2018.
- Team pursuit: A team race where three skaters work together, added in 2006.
Women's Events
Women's speed skating events were first shown as demonstration events in 1932 and became official in 1960.
- 500 metres: This sprint race was a demonstration event in 1932 and became official in 1960.
- 1000 metres: A middle-distance race, demonstration in 1932 and official in 1960.
- 1500 metres: Another middle-distance race, demonstration in 1932 and official in 1960.
- 3000 metres: A longer endurance race, official since 1960.
- 5000 metres: The longest individual women's race, added in 1988.
- Mass start: Like the men's event, added in 2018.
- Team pursuit: Like the men's event, added in 2006.
Medal Winners
Many countries have won medals in Olympic speed skating. As of the 2022 Winter Olympics, here are some of the top countries:
- Netherlands (NED): They have won the most medals, with 48 gold, 44 silver, and 41 bronze.
- United States (USA): They are also very strong, with 30 gold, 22 silver, and 19 bronze medals.
- Norway (NOR): Another top country, with 28 gold, 29 silver, and 30 bronze medals.
- Soviet Union (URS): This country, which no longer exists, won many medals in the past: 24 gold, 17 silver, and 19 bronze.
- Germany (GER): They have won 13 gold, 15 silver, and 10 bronze medals.
- Canada (CAN): With 10 gold, 16 silver, and 16 bronze medals.
Images for kids
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The symbol for speed skating at the Olympics.
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A friendly robot for kids' articles.
See also
- Ice sledge speed racing at the Winter Paralympics
- List of Olympic venues in speed skating
- List of Olympic medalists in speed skating
