🌍 Top 10 Short Track Countries (Senior Olympic Medals)
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🏆 World Rankings
Top USA skaters ranked by fastest personal best times per distance
⏱️ World Records
Fastest personal best times per distance
📏 Race Distances
👥 Browse Skaters by Level
Click a level to see all skaters in that category
📖 Short Track Speed Skating History
🏛️ Origins
Short track speed skating originated in North America in the early 1900s. Skaters raced on smaller indoor rinks instead of the big 400m outdoor ovals. It quickly became popular because it was exciting and fast-paced!
🏟️ The Track
The track is an 111.12 meter oval on a standard ice hockey rink. Skaters race counter-clockwise and can reach speeds over 30 mph (50 km/h)! That's faster than a car in a school zone! 🚗💨
🥇 Olympic History
Short track became an official Olympic sport in 1992 at the Albertville Winter Olympics in France. Before that, it was a demonstration sport in 1988.
🇰🇷 South Korea is the most successful nation with 49 Olympic medals!
🇺🇸 Apolo Anton Ohno is the most decorated US short track skater with 8 Olympic medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze)
🛡️ Equipment
🩱 Skin-tight suits - reduce air resistance
⛑️ Helmets - safety first!
🧤 Cut-resistant gloves - protect from sharp blades
🦵 Shin and knee guards - padding for falls and contact
⛸️ Special blades - shorter and more curved than long track blades for tight turns
🤩 Fun Facts for Kids!
⚡ Skaters can accelerate faster than a sports car on ice!
🤸 They lean so far in turns that their hands touch the ice!
👥 Up to 4-6 skaters race at the same time - bumping is common!
🎭 Races can be unpredictable - the leader doesn't always win because of drafting and strategy!
🧊 The ice is kept at about -7°C (19°F) for the perfect surface
👶 Many champions started skating before age 10 - just like you, Emma!
🏅 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics
🔥 THE OLYMPICS ARE HAPPENING NOW! 🔥
February 10-20, 2026 • Forum di Milano, Milan, Italy