Speedskating is the fastest human-powered sport on the planet.  Skating was born over the long, frozen canals of medieval Holland.  The sport spread in the 13th century to neighboring Europe.  Initially, the only rules were to skate fast and still maintain an upright footing at the finish.  The first official speedskating competition took place in Oslo in 1863, leading up to a major international competition in Hamburg some 20 years later.

As a result, the International Skating Union was founded in 1892 in Holland, the birthplace of speedskating, to establish worldwide regulations governing the sport.  Speedskating has been part of the Winter Games since the first in Chamonix in 1924. Women skaters entered the competition beginning in 1960 at the Squaw Vally Games.

In Short Track Speedskating, skaters compete against each other in a thrilling mix of speed, strength and strategy.  Short Track at the Olympic Games consists of eight events:  500m, 1000m, 1500m and men’s 5000m relay and women’s 3000m relay.

Long Track Speedskating (also known simply as Speedskating) tests both speed and endurance as skaters reach speeds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph).  Speedskating at the Olympic Games consists of ten events: 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m for both woman and men, 3000m for women, 10,000m for men, and Team pursuit for women and men.

Links 

International Skating Union - Speed Skating - World coverage in news and pictures, results and records, rules and regulations, discussion boards.