Speed Skating – Champions
The World All-round Speed Skating Championships is held annually which is a series of events for speed skating competitions to determine the all-round speed skater.
The first championship for men began in 1893, whereas for women, it began in 1936. Since then, the competitions were held at same time and venue every year. The championship takes place as a two-day event where skaters race 500mts and 1000mts each day. The date is generally in January.
Skaters from all over the world participate with a great enthusiasm. The championships that are arranged worldwide are as follows −
- World Allround
- World Sprint
- World Single Distance
- World Short Track
- Olympics
Let us now discuss briefly about the careers of some of the champions of Speed Skating.
Michel Mulder
Michel Mulder is a speed skater from Netherlands. He was the champion of 2014 Olympics as he won gold in 500m race. He also won a bronze medal in the same Olympics. He has also participated in World Championships in which he won two golds in sprint racing.
He won one gold in 2013 and one gold in 2014 in World Championships. Another championship in which he participated is World Single Distance Championships in 2012 and 2015 and won one silver in each year.
Joey Cheek
Joey Cheek is a speed skater from America who is a specialist in short and middle distance races. He won three medals in Olympics which include a gold, a silver, and a bronze. He won gold in 500m, silver in 1000m races in 2006 Olympics and bronze in 2002 Olympics in 1000m race.
He also participated in World Championships in which he won one gold and three bronzes. He won gold and bronze in sprint 2006 and 2005 respectively and two bronzes in 2003 in 1000m races.
Bonnie Blair
Bonnie Blair is a speed skater from America who has won five gold medals and a bronze medal in three Olympics. She won the first gold medal in 1988 Olympics in 500 meters race and a bronze medal in 1000 meters race.
In 1992, she won two gold medals one in 100m and other in 500m races. In 1994 Olympics too, she won two gold medals one each in 500 meters and 1000 meters. She has also won three golds, four silvers, and two bronzes in World Championships.
Christa Rothenburger
Christa Rothenburger is a speed skater from East Germany. She has won many medals in various competitions.
In 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics, Rothenburger won a gold each in 500m and 1000m races respectively. She also won a silver medal in 1988 Olympics in 500m race.
In 1992 Olympics, she won a bronze medal in 500m race. In World Sprint competition, she won two golds, two silvers, and four bronzes. In World Cup, she won four golds and two silvers.