The Men’s and Women’s Team Sprint event will be included for the first time at the Olympic Winter Games Alpes 2030, following approval by the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board.
ISU, the International Skating Union, announced the introduction of the Team Sprint event to speed skating at the Olympics, marking a new chapter for the sport.
Team Sprint is a fast-paced speed skating competition featuring teams of three skaters racing over three laps. The race involves two teams starting on opposite sides of the track, competing against the clock to record the fastest time. All team members start together, but after each lap, one skater drops out, leaving the final teammate to complete the race alone. The event demands high levels of speed, teamwork, and precise tactics, making it an exciting spectacle for fans.
First introduced as a demonstration event in the 2014/15 ISU World Cup season, Team Sprint became an official event in 2016/17 and has since been a highlight of the ISU Speed Skating World Cup circuit. Its inclusion in the 2030 Winter Olympics will provide athletes with new opportunities to compete for medals and add variety to the Olympic speed skating program.
While the 2030 Winter Games are still several years away, audiences can experience Team Sprint competitions in the ISU Speed Skating World Cup events leading up to the Olympics. The ISU encourages fans to follow the 2026/27 event calendar to catch this dynamic race format in action before its Olympic debut.
