Speed skating
Speed skating is racing on ice in two forms. In long track, skaters race in pairs on a 400-metre oval, each in their own lane and swapping lanes every lap so both cover the same distance, against the clock. In short track, skaters race in packs of four to seven on a 111.12-metre oval with no lanes, and places matter more than times: the top finishers go through to the next round. Team pursuits, relays and the mass start are also raced.
New to speed skating? Start here
Which to watch first, and how long
Start with Long track. Two skaters, two lanes and one clock.
- Long track
- Races in pairs on a 400 m oval, against the clock
- Short track
- Packs of four to seven on a 111.12 m oval; places count, not times
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Winter Olympic Games (speed skating)The title each speed skating discipline is measured by.Every 4 years · Holder: the Netherlands won 5 of the 9 golds; the Netherlands won 5 of the 14 golds
- 2ISU World Single Distances ChampionshipsThe long-track world title, distance by distance.Yearly, except Olympic years (to check) · Holder: Hamar 2025; the Netherlands led the medal…
- 3ISU World Allround and Sprint ChampionshipsThe long-track titles for the best all-rounder and the best sprinter.Yearly (to check) · Holder: allround, Sander Eitrem and Ragne Wiklund
- 4Asian Winter Games (speed skating)Asia's winter multi-sport title.About every 4 years; next Almaty 2029
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- NetherlandsSpeed skating at the Olympic Games: 53 golds, 50 silvers, 43 bronzes (latest 2026); ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships: 120 golds, 104 silvers, 79 bronzes (latest 2025)
- United StatesSpeed skating at the Olympic Games: 32 golds, 24 silvers, 20 bronzes (latest 2026); ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships: 29 golds, 18 silvers, 30 bronzes (latest 2025)
- NorwaySpeed skating at the Olympic Games: 29 golds, 31 silvers, 31 bronzes (latest 2026); ISU World Allround and Sprint Speed Skating Championships: 47 golds, 45 silvers, 49 bronzes (latest 2026)
- CanadaSpeed skating at the Olympic Games: 11 golds, 17 silvers, 19 bronzes (latest 2026); ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships: 31 golds, 42 silvers, 43 bronzes (latest 2025)
- South KoreaShort track speed skating at the Olympic Games: 28 golds, 19 silvers, 13 bronzes (latest 2026); Speed skating at the Asian Winter Games: 26 golds, 28 silvers, 25 bronzes (latest 2025)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | International Skating Union (ISU), Sports Rules: Speed Skating, as of 12 June 2026 |
| International federation | International Skating Union (ISU) |
| In India |
Where and when it is played
On a 400-metre oval for long track and a 111.12-metre oval for short track. The big events: the Winter Olympic Games every four years, and the ISU World Single Distances Championships and World Allround and Sprint Championships.