Beijing 2022 - Speedskating - Short Track

Short track speedskating has been thrilling fans with its fast-paced, action-packed races since the sport made its Olympic debut in 1992. Featuring packs of athletes racing against each other — rather than against the clock, as in long track speedskating — short track is known for its aggressive racing, gnarly crashes and wild finishes.

Team USA comes into Beijing as the fourth most decorated country in Olympic short track, with four gold medals and 20 total. South Korea, with 24 gold and 48 total medals, has dominated the sport, with China and Canada not far behind. However, at the most recent world championships, it was Hungary and the Netherlands who dominated. The Hungarians won two of the five men’s events, while Dutch star Suzanne Schulting swept the individual titles and helped her team win the relay.

In a change from recent Olympic Winter Games, it’s the women leading the charge for Team USA this year. Kristen Santos highlights the five-woman team, along with 2018 Olympian Maame Biney. They’ll be joined by two U.S. men, both of whom are making their Olympic debuts.

Competition in Beijing will include the usual three individual events for men and women — 500-, 1,000- and 1,500-meters — as well as a 3,000-meter relay for the women and 5,000-meter relay for the men. The Beijing Games will also include the Olympic debut of a 2,000-meter mixed relay. Olympic competition is set to be held at Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, a venue made famous when it hosted visiting U.S. table tennis players for a 1971 exhibition that became known as “ping pong diplomacy.”

Updated on January 28, 2022.