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SALT LAKE CITY – Only 16 days are left until the Olympic Games and 17 days remain before the first speed skating event.
In Russia, speed skating is a historically popular winter sport. According to the Organizing Committee of the Sochi Games, up until the 19th century, Russian families would skate at Patriarch’s Ponds in Moscow to the accompaniment of a brass band.
Speed skating has been part of the Olympics since 1924. The first medal of the Chamonix, France Games was awarded to American Charles Jewtraw at the 500 meter speed skating event.
Women speed skaters were not included in the Games until 1960, at the Squaw Valley, Calif. Winter Olympics.
Speed skating events will be held at the Adler Arena and short track events will be at the Iceberg Skating Palace.
