Long-track speed skating features a series of prestigious Olympic records, many of which were set during the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
According to ISU Skating, Olympic speed skating events are timed races with the goal of achieving the best possible time, except for the Mass Start event where placement determines the winner. These Olympic records represent some of the highest achievements in the sport.
On the women’s side, most Olympic records were established at the 2022 Beijing Games, with the exception of the 500-meter record set by Japan’s Nao Kodaira in 2018 at the PyeongChang Olympics. Kodaira’s record-breaking performance of 36.94 seconds made her the first woman to finish the Olympic 500m race in under 37 seconds. She secured the gold medal in Gangneung that year, defeating the then World Record holder Sang-Hwa Lee of South Korea. Lee’s previous Olympic record from 2014 was surpassed by Kodaira, but both athletes shared a moment of mutual respect by leading a lap of honor together, highlighting the unifying spirit of sport.
Other women’s Olympic records include Miho Takagi (1000m), Ireen Wüst (1500m), and Irene Schouten (3000m and 5000m), all established at the Beijing 2022 Games. The Canadian women’s team currently holds the Olympic record in the Team Pursuit event, also set in 2022.
In the men’s category, the 1000m Olympic record, set by Dutch skater Gerard van Velde in 2002 at Salt Lake City, remains one of the longest-standing marks. Van Velde’s 1:07.18 was a remarkable achievement following his comeback from retirement and adaptation to the clap-skate technology. Despite recent world records being faster, his Olympic record still stands. Van Velde continues to contribute to the sport as a coach for the Dutch national team, preparing athletes such as Femke Kok and Kjeld Nuis for future competitions.
Other men’s Olympic records set in Beijing 2022 include Gao Tingyu (500m), Kjeld Nuis (1500m), and Nils van der Poel (5000m and 10,000m). The Team Pursuit Olympic record for men is held by the group competing as Individual Neutral Athletes from Russia.
