Skating

Updated: 2006-02-10 14:21

Short Track Speed Skating

ABOUT

Short track speed skating races began to occur in Europe shortly after speed skating became an established international sport. The International Skating Union was founded in 1892, three years after the first long-track World Championships.

Prior to the arrival of short track at the Olympics, it was common for skaters to compete in short and long-track events. Short track ovals were covered and offered a place for skaters to train all year. Many long-track racers would practice sprinting and turning techniques around the small oval. Some even competed in short track competitions. With the development of new indoor long-track facilities, the cross-sport training is not as popular anymore. Also, now that short track has become established as an Olympic sport, racers have been forced to specialise to succeed.

Short track speed skating was first included in the official programme at the XVI Olympic Winter Games in Albertville in 1992.

COMPETITION

At the Olympic Games, Short Track Speed Skating consists of eight events. Men and women compete in 500m, 1000m, and 1500m. There is a 5000m relay for men, and a 3000m relay for women.

Skaters compete not against the clock, but against each other. Four skaters compete in a race with those placed first and second advancing to the next round. Winning depends to a considerable extent on a racer's strategic skill over an opponent.

Short track speed skating is an elimination event in which athletes race in packs and try to outskate and outwit fellow competitors within their heats. Eventually, the field is narrowed to a handful of finalists. The first one to cross the finish line is the winner. Time is secondary. In fact, Olympic and world records have been set in non-medal heats.

Individual competitions begin with 32 athletes. Individual heats feature four skaters at a time in a mass start. Athletes skate counter-clockwise, and the first two across the finish line advance to the next round. Sometimes more than two advance, depending on the number of heats and the nature of any disqualifications.

The men's and women's short track relays are two-day competitions consisting of a semi-final and a final. Eight teams are divided into two heats of four. The top two teams in each semi-final advance to the final.

LIST OF EVENTS

1000m Men 
1000m Women 
1500m Men 
1500m Women 
3000m relay Women 
5000m relay Men 
500m Men 
500m Women