Speed Skating

EARLY PIONEERS

The Dutch were arguably the earliest pioneers of skating. They began using canals to maintain communication by skating from village to village as far back as the 13th century. Skating eventually spread across the channel to England, and soon the first clubs and artificial rinks began to form. Passionate skaters included several kings of England, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon III, and German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

BEGINNINGS

The first known skating competition is thought to have been held in the Netherlands in 1676. However, the first official speed skating event was not held until 1863 in Oslo, Norway. In 1889, the Netherlands hosted the first World Championships, bringing together Dutch, Russian, American, and English teams.

OLYMPIC HISTORY

Speed skating appeared for the first time in 1924 at the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix. Initially, only men were allowed to participate. It was not until the 1960 Games at Squaw Valley that women’s speed skating was officially included in the Olympic programme. Nowadays, the events almost always follow the European system, which consists of skaters competing two-by-two. At the Olympic Games 1932 , the Americans organised American-style events, i.e., with a mass start. This decision brought about a boycott by many European competitors, which allowed the Americans to win four gold medals. This system would give birth to short-track speed skating, which was added to the Olympic programme in Albertville in 1992.

RACES

Official speed races are held over 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m, and 10.000 m for men and 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m for women. There is also a team pursuit for men and women.