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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
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