Olympic speed skating is a demanding sport that needs exceptional explosiveness, balance, and endurance.
How Fast Are Olympic Speed Skaters
14 distance-based competitions are available for both men and women. Participants race against the time while wearing protective ice suits and clapping skates with blades ranging in length from 14 to 18 inches.
As of the 17th of February, Team USA is now ranked fifth in the overall Winter Olympics medal tally thanks to its three speed-skating medalists (one gold, two bronze).
In the women’s 500-meter speed skating event on February 13, 2019, Erin Jackson, age 29, made history by becoming the first Black American woman to win a medal.
In addition to Brittany Bowe’s bronze medal in the women’s 1000m, the United States men’s team pursuit squad also took home bronze.
There are still three opportunities to win a medal at the Olympics, so here’s all you need to know about the speed at which Olympic speed skaters compete.
Exactly How Fast do Olympic Speed Skaters Go?
Long-track speed skaters can typically hit over 35 mph, while short-track speed skaters can typically reach speeds of over 30 mph.
Athletes have to execute short, sharp turns while racing at high speeds around the oval, which makes speed a significant challenge.
The 2022 Winter Olympics will Feature Some of the World’s Best Speed Skaters.
Both men and women will compete for gold in a variety of events in the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Athletes who won two gold medals at Beijing and broke Olympic records include:
- Nils van der Poel of Sweden won the men’s 5000-meter and 10,000-meter events.
- Irene Schouten of the Netherlands won the 5,000 and 3,000 metre events for women.
