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Speed skating is a team sport, thus the reasoning behind the two lanes on the track. The skaters in a pair where colored bands that identify the lane the started in. According to the rules of speed skating for competition the skaters on a team must switch lanes at a designated point. This is to ensure every skater covers the same amount of distance during the competition.
In the Team Pursuit games each team consists of three skaters. There are many different formats used for racing in this manner and the rules have to be determined before the race begins by all participants. Team Pursuit was added to the 2006 Olympic Games as a competition for speed skating.
The fastest speed skaters can go as fast as 60 miles per hour for short periods of time. If you have never watched speed skating you are missing out on a thrilling sport that will keep you on the edge of your seat. At those speeds there is plenty of action and even some full body contact that results in serious crashes.
While the popularity of speed skating lately has brought it the attention of most people it is not a new sport. In has been in place around the world since the 1890’s. The first competitions among the different countries took place in 1893 under the direction of the International Skating Union.
Speed skating was to be added to the Olympic Games in 1916 but it didn’t happen due to the developments of World War I around that time. They sport was finally added to the winter games line up for 1924. Women began competing in speed skating under the International Skating Union in the late 1920’s. They were allowed to compete in the Olympic Games beginning in 1932.
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