SPEED SKATING

SPEED SKATING

• Speed skating was invented in Poland
• It was first played in 1924 at the Olympics
• Women were first allowed to play in 1960

TOP 3 COUNTRIES

• United States are in 1st place
• Netherlands are in 2nd place
• Norway is in 3rd place

ATHLETES

Kelly Gunther is from Oberlin, Ohio
Brittany Bowe is from Ocala, Florida
Heather Richardson is from High Point, New York

The equipment needed is
- They need a kind of skate called " clap skates"
- The skaters wear a skin- suit to reduce air.

They also wear gloves and they need an oval shaped track.

HOW TO SPEED SKATE

• Competitors race each other around a track
• Skaters are timed.
• The first one to cross wins

RULES

• Speed skating races counter- clockwise
• You can race long or short track
• You must pass on the outside
• Skaters change lanes every lap

EVENTS

• Men's 10,000 m
• Men's 500m
• Ladies 5,000m
• Ladies 1,500

INTERESTING FACTS

• It's a popular winter sport in Russia
• The top speed is 40 miles an hour
• It has been part of the Olympics for 22 years

INFO AND PICTURES FROM:

• www.Olympics. Org
• www.Sochi2014. Com
• www.nbcolympics. Com

SPEED SKATING