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spt_olyapp_speedskating.sTitle = "Event Essentials: Speedskating";
spt_olyapp_speedskating.appDeck = "Learn more about the sport's two disciplines";
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spt_olyapp_speedskating[i-1].body = "Speedskating debuted at the Olympics in its long track discipline at the 1924 Games in Chamonix and has been on the program ever since.Speedskating emerged in Holland as early as the 13th century. The first recorded competition took place in Norway in 1863 and the first world championships were held in 1889.
In 1932, women first competed at the Olympics when speedskating was a demonstration sport. Women's speedskating was introduced as a full medal sport at the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley.
Athletes have historically competed in time trials featuring two-man pairs up until the 1932 Games when the United States convinced the International Skating Union to switch competitions to a different style called pack racing.
As a result, many athletes boycotted the events and the United States made a clean sweep, winning all four gold medals.
Although speedskating was later switched back to its original style, the controversy of the 1932 Games helped to develop what is now called short track, which debuted at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville.";
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Long track consists of two skaters per heat on a 400-meter track. The track has two lanes with the inside lane being shorter than the outside lane.
Skaters race counter-clockwise against the clock, not each other.
In order for both athletes to race the same distance, they must change lanes once per lap. A flagman stands with a red and green flag and directs the leading skater to switch lanes first. Athletes are ranked on the basis of time.
Athletes can reach speeds of up to 35 MPH.
Skating distances at the Olympics
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Short track consists of four to six skaters competing in pack style on a 111.12 meter oval track. The two different categories are individual competition and relays.
A competitor must not interfere with another racer while making a pass and the lead skater is not allowed to impede the progress of opponents with his or her body.
All skaters compete in qualifying heats and semifinals to skate in the final race where they are awarded points to determine the winners.
Skating distances at the Olympics
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Long track and short track speedskating are obviously similar in the sense that they both involve skating around a track, but there are some distinct differences.
Short track is all about short-radius turns. Athletes ususally make some body contact, and blood on the ice is not uncommon.
Long track is more about finesse as there is almost never any body contact,
and the course is almost four times as large.
In short track, competitors are racing against each other in heats of four to six competitors, rather than against time in heats of two.
Short track racers also wear protective gear, including a helmet, gloves, knee pads and neck guards.
The skates are similar in both disciplines with the one big difference being that long track skates have a larger width (between 1.2 and 1.4mm) while short track skates are 1mm.
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Long track
You can expect a fast track and records to fall at the newly-constructed oval called Oval Lingotto. The facility features a shell of reflective glass and 7,800 seats. Under the ice, there are 56 miles of cooling coils.
The biggest long track story at the Olympics could be the U.S. team, which has medal contenders in every event.
Short track
Characterized by its distinctive sail shape, the renovated 6,600-seat Palavela will house all the short track events as well as figure skating.
Perhaps the biggest story could be the potential matchup of Apolo Anton Ohno vs. South Korean Ahn Hyun-Soo.
Reason: At the 2002 Games Ohno fell in the 1,500 meters and finished second behind South Korean Kim Dong-sung, but officials ruled that Kim made an illegal blocking move and awarded the gold medal to Ohno.
The South Koreans have been bitter ever since and have waited four years for another shot at gold.
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