Speed Skating Speed skaters race around a 400-metre oval with two lanes, over distances ranging from 500 metres to 10 000 metres. Only two competitors skate at the same time. Each must stay in his or her own lane but the two must swap lanes after each lap so that they both cover the same distance. They race against each other but after all the skaters have had their turn, the one with the fastest time wins the competition. In short-track events groups of skaters, usually four on each team, race against each other. The first skater to cross the finish line in the final race is the winner. Short track speed skating became an official Olympic event in 1992. Speed skaters wear body-hugging clothing and helmets to reduce wind resistance. Using their arms for balance on the curves, they crouch low, taking long, smooth strides. Speed skaters can reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour. Australia's speed skater Steven Bradbury won a gold medal at the Winter Olympics at Salt Lake City in 2002 Read about Steven Bradbury here For more information about Olympic speed skating http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/disciplines_uk.asp?DiscCode=SS If you use any of this information in your own work acknowledge this source in your bibliography like this: Speed skating (2006). [Online], Available: www.kidcyber.com.au Links to some other kidcyber sports Badminton Australian Rules Football Badminton Baseball Basketball Bobsleigh CanoeKayak Equestrian Gymnastics Ice hockey Judo Snowboarding Speedskating Tennis Weighlifting Back to Sports updated June 2006