The XXIV Winter Olympics will open in Beijing on February 4, 2022. The Sports Department of China News Network launched a series of columns "100 Questions about the Winter Olympics", which aims to popularize the knowledge of the Winter Olympics, answer hot questions, and talk about ice and snow anecdotes, so as to help everyone have a better viewing experience during the Beijing Winter Olympics.
No. 60 Winter Olympics 100 Questions | What is the difference between short track speed skating and speed skating?
The ice event has always been a project in which the Chinese legion has a comparative advantage in the Winter Olympic Games. However, for short track speed skating and speed skating, many people may be a bit "silly and confused". What is the difference between these two projects that are very similar literally?
Data chart: Wu Dajing (first from left) in a short track speed skating competition. Photo by China News Service reporter Tomita
In fact, there is a big difference between short track speed skating and speed skating. The former is often referred to as the "short track" and the latter as the "avenue". The two differ in size, equipment, and rules.
As the literal meaning is, the "short track" site area is relatively small, 30×60 meters, the oval ice track is 111.12 meters long per lap, the width of the straights is not less than 7 meters, the radius of the curve is 8 meters, and the length of the straights is 28.85 meters.
The "Avenue" site is relatively large, carried out on a 400-meter-circumference ice road, which is connected by two straight lines and two 180-degree arcs, divided into two internal and external lanes, with a width of 5 meters. The inner circle radius of the inner ice channel is 25 meters, and the inner circle radius of the outer ice channel is 30 meters.
From the perspective of track setting, the speed skating (excluding collective departure) track is divided into inner and outer lanes by the marking line, and the players need to slide according to the rules, one lap of the inner road and one lap of the outer lane; while the short track speed skating track is not subdivided, the players can slide arbitrarily, there is no cross-track situation.
Beijing athletes compete in the men's 500m in speed skating on April 7. On the same day, the "Meet in Beijing" ice project test activity speed skating competition was opened at the Beijing National Speed Skating Hall. China News Service reporter Han Haidan photographed
In addition, from the wear of athletes, it is also possible to distinguish between short track speed skating and speed skating. Speed skaters generally wear hooded jumpsuits to reduce wind resistance, while short-track speed skaters wear safety helmets.
In terms of rules, the speed skating individual and team competitions generally start at the same time with two athletes in each group, and the group starting event is a row of 6 people at the same time; the short-track speed skating 500 meters, 1000 meters and other short distance competitions generally start at the same time by 4 players, and the long distance competitions of 1500 meters and above are 6 to 8 athletes starting at the same time. (Bian Liqun)