Speed skating is a lifetime fitness sport for athletes of all ages, and a popular form of competition that
showcases the athlete's strength and coordination. One of five official Special Olympics Winter
Sports, speed skating was first offered on an international level at the 1977 Special Olympics World
Winter Games in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA. Today, approximately 3,103 athletes compete inSpecial Olympics speed skating worldwide. In faster heats, Special Olympics speed skaters may
 reach speeds of up to 32 kilometers per hour.

WORLD GAMES HISTORY

 Speed skating was one of the five official sports to be offered at the 1997 SpecialOlympics World Winter Games in Ontario, Canada. Approximately 180 athletes from
28 countries competed in the 12 official speed skating events at these Games. At the 2001 Special Olympics
Winter World Games in Alaska, USA, the speed skating
competition demonstrated the skills of 180 male and female athletes from 21
countries.

                                         

 EVENTS OFFERED

 1. 100-Meter Race
 2. 111-Meter Race
 3. 200-Meter Race
 4. 222-Meter Race
 5. 300-Meter Race
 6. 333-Meter Race
 7. 500-Meter Race
 8. 777-Meter Race
 9. 800-Meter Race
 10. 1000-Meter Race
 11. 1500-Meter Race
 12. 20-Lap Unified Sports™ Relay - 4-person Short Track Format
 13. Unified Sports™ Team Sprint - 2 person/500-meter and 1000-meter combined - Short Track
 Format
 14. Unified Team Single Distance - 1000-meter or 1500-meter combined - Short Track Format
 15. 4x400-Meter Unified Relay - Long Track Format
 16. 4x500-Meter Unified Relay - Metric Format
 17. Unified Team Sprint - 2-person/500-meter and 1000-meter combined - Metric Format

 The following events provide meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels:

 1. 25-Meter Straight-away
 2. 55-Meter Half Lap Race