Ice racing is the collective term for competitive skating sports raced on ice at the highest international level. Within the Olympic Movement, ice racing includes two distinct but closely connected disciplines: speed skating (long track) and short track speed skating. While both demand exceptional athleticism, balance, strength and speed, each discipline tests athletes in different ways.

Speed Skating (Long Track)

Speed skating is raced on a 400-metre oval track, similar in shape to an athletics track. Athletes typically compete against the clock, racing in pairs in opposite lanes, with victory determined by the fastest time rather than direct contact with other skaters.

Events range from explosive sprints to endurance-based races, placing a premium on efficient technique, aerobic capacity, strength, and pacing. Speed skating has been part of the Olympic Winter Games since 1924, making it one of the sport’s most established winter disciplines.

Traditionally strong speed-skating nations include the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the United States, with the Netherlands widely regarded as the global powerhouse of the sport.

Short Track Speed Skating

Short-track speed skating is raced on a 111.12-metre indoor track, typically set up on a standard ice rink. Unlike long track, multiple skaters race head-to-head in the samerace, creating a fast, tactical, and unpredictable contest where positioning, race craft, and decision-making are just as important as raw speed.

Short track became an official Olympic sport in 1992 and is known for its high-intensity racing, close finishes, and relay events that demand teamwork and trust. The sport rewards athletes who combine speed, agility, tactical awareness, and resilience.

Historically dominant nations include South Korea, China, Canada, and the Netherlands, with strong global depth across Europe, Asia, and North America.

Ice Racing at the Olympic Games – Milano Cortina 2026

At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, ice racing will feature prominently:

• Speed Skating will contest 14 medal events (men and women), including sprint, middle-distance, long-distance, team pursuit, and mass start events.
• Short Track Speed Skating will contest 9 medal events, including individual distances, relays, and the mixed team relay.

Together, these events showcase the full spectrum of ice racing — from controlled, technically precise speed skating to dynamic, tactical short-track racing.

Australia and Ice Racing

Australia has a proud and unique history in ice racing. In short track speed skating, Australia won its first Winter Olympic medal in the men’s relay at Lillehammer 1994, followed by the nation’s first Winter Olympic gold medal in that race in 2002 with Steven Bradbury doing a Bradbury.

Australian athletes have also represented the nation in Olympic speed skating, demonstrating Australia’s presence across both ice racing disciplines on the world stage.

Today, Australian Ice Racing is responsible for the development, governance, and growth of ice racing in Australia — from grassroots participation and talent pathways through to high-performance and Olympic representation in both speed skating and short track.