Speed skating team sprint has been officially adopted as an event for the 2030 Alpine Winter Olympics.
The International Skating Union (ISU) welcomed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board’s decision on Thursday, stating that this decision marks a significant milestone in the ongoing evolution of speed skating.
ISU President Kim Jae-yeol commented that the inclusion of team sprint in the 2030 Alpine Winter Olympics is a crucial step forward for speed skating’s development. This event combines power, athleticism, and teamwork, offering fans worldwide an exhilarating experience while showcasing the athletes’ extraordinary talents.
In the team sprint, three skaters form a team and race three laps on a 400-meter track.
Two teams start simultaneously from opposite sides of the track. After each lap, the lead skater peels off, leaving the remaining skaters to continue. In the final lap, only one skater from each team competes for the fastest time.
The team sprint was introduced as a demonstration event in the 2015-16 ISU Speed Skating World Cup series and became an official event in the 2018-19 season.
With the addition of team sprint, Olympic speed skating now features 16 events: men’s and women’s 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m, women’s 3000m, men’s 10,000m, team pursuit, mass start, and team sprint for both genders.
South Korea has shown strong performances in women’s team sprint. During the 2024-25 ISU Four Continents Championships, the trio of Kim Min-sun, Lee Na-hyun, and Kim Min-ji clinched a silver medal.