Olympic Sports in Milan

Speed Skating

at Fiera Milano Oval (within Fiera Milano Exhibition Centre)

At the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, the Fiera Milano exhibition venue will be transformed into a world-class long track speed skating arena, where athletes compete in one of the most iconic and tradition-rich sports of the Winter Games. Speed skating is all about pure speed, endurance, and technique on a 400-meter oval ice track. Skaters race two at a time in separate lanes and switch lanes each lap to ensure equal distance. The fastest time across all heats determines the final rankings—it’s a race against the clock, not direct opponents.

The competition includes individual races over 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m (men and women), 3000 m (women) and 10,000 m (men only). The shorter distances require explosive power and precision, while the longer races demand pacing, stamina, and mental resilience.

In the Team Pursuit, two teams of three skaters race head-to-head, starting on opposite sides of the track. The time is taken when the third skater crosses the finish line. In the Mass Start, all skaters race simultaneously—tactics, positioning, and sprint timing play a major role.

With its mix of speed, endurance, and strategy, Olympic speed skating is a thrilling showcase of human performance on ice.