Steve Gann
Sandra 12010 Winter Olympics Guide: Short Track Speed Skating
February 18th 2010 16:36
:
2010 Winter Olympics Guide: Short Track Speed Skating
Short track speed skating was a demonstration sport at the 1988 games in Calgary and was added as a medal event at the 1992 games. There are four medal events for men and women including three individual events(500,1000, 1500m) and the 5000m relay for men and 3000m relay for women.
Because of the mass starts and non lane racing, controversy is common. Several rules are in place to make the racing as fair as possible.
Rules:
Impeding (DQI): Pushing, blocking, or otherwise causing an impediment for another skater
Off track (DQO): Skating outside the designated track
Cross-tracking (DQX): Deliberately cutting in front of a competitor who is attempting to pass
Team skating: Conspiring with members from the same country or other individual skaters to determine the race result
Assistance: Giving physical assistance to another skater
Shooting the line or Kicking out (DQK): Driving the foot in lead ahead to reach the finish faster, resulting in the rear foot lifting off the ice and creating a dangerous situation for others
Unsportsmanlike conduct (DQU): Acting in a manner not befitting an athlete or a role model.
Including cursing at a competitor, kicking your feet, striking other skaters or officials, etc. This disqualification is considered by coaches and skaters as the worst thing to be disqualified for.
Equipment (DQE): Not wearing the proper safety equipment, losing equipment during the race, or exposure of skin not on face or neck.
False Start (DQS): Starting before the firing of the starter's pistol twice.
Did not finish (DNF): Usually due to injury, the skater did not finish the race
Did not skate (DNS): The skater did not go to the starting line.
History:
Short track speed skating originated in the speed skating events held with mass starts. This form of speed skating was mainly practiced in the United States and Canada, as opposed to the international form, where skaters skated in pairs. At the 1932 Winter Olympics, speed skating events were conducted in the mass start form. Competitions in North America were also held indoors, for example in Madison Square Garden, New York, and therefore on shorter tracks than was usual for outdoor skating.
In 1967, the International Skating Union adopted short track speed skating, although it did not organize international competitions until 1976. World Championships have been held since 1981 though earlier events later also received that status.
At the 1988 Winter Olympics, held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, short track was a demonstration sport. It was upgraded to a full Olympic sport in 1992 and has been part of the Winter Olympics since. The programme was expanded from 4 in 1992 to 8 in 2002. The events are the same for both men and women: 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m and the relay (5000 m (men)/3000 m (women)).
South Korea, Canada, China and the United States have been the dominant countries in the sport. With smaller ice tracks and shorter, often spectacular competitions, short track speed skating has grown more popular than the older long track in many countries. In the 2006 Winter Olympics, South Korea won the most medals in short track speed skating.
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