Speed skating has belonged to the Olympics, for men since 1924, and for women 1960. Short track speed skating is about 364 feet long. 4 people race each other, each race. Most Americans are usually do more long track than short track.

As some other sports need gear, so does this one. First of all, the blade section that meets with the ice, is like a straight line. Men’s speed skating blade is about 42-46 cm long. The longer the blade is, the faster you would go. There is a special skate called the clap skate, were the blade doesn’t meet with the blade. Speed skating glasses are used so the breeze and the snow don’t get in your eyes. Also you will be able to glance in front of you. Did you know the outer lane skaters will wear red bands, and inner lane skaters will wear white bands. Skaters will wear tight suits with hoods.

There are six different courts, beside short track and long track. For both men’s and women’s, there are 500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, 5,000m. There are also 3,000m for women only, and 10,000 for men only events.

Speed skaters are familiar to being relaxed while skating. The sport depends on balance, rhythm and drive. To gain speed, speed skaters lean forward over the ice. By looking straight a head, while pushing there legs back, they can also gain speed.

Facts about short track

Clap skate

This skate is not attached to the heel. In the Olympics, you were able to use it since 1998. Because the skate is not attached to the heel, you are able to stay longer on the ice. If you are on the ice longer your pushing power increases, this means you can push faster, with your legs, allowing you to accelerate, and move faster.