As you know, the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, held under the motto "Hot. Winter. Yours, ”looked almost all the inhabitants of the country. And many of them, after the tremendous success of Viktor An, wondered: how is the short track different from speed skating? To fully understand this issue, which is really important for fans, you need to consider each sport in detail.
Speed Skating Rules
Speed skating is a classic discipline that was already present at the first winter games in France. The most important thing in this contest is time. The athlete must run as soon as possible. The fight takes place on an ice track, the standard length of which is 400 meters. In the race, two participants start simultaneously. It is worth noting an important feature: the athlete runs the first half of the distance along the inner track, the second half - along the outer. And vice versa. They can also compete at distances from 500 to 1000 meters. In speed skating, all-around, sprinting, pursuit and individual distance competitions are also held, the results of which go to the individual competition.
Short Track Rules
Short track - a kind of speed skating. Its name, which literally translates as “short track”, speaks for itself. Competitions in this sport are held at hockey stadiums. Their sizes in Europe and America differ by only 5 meters. The main difference between a short track and speed skating is the length of the track. It is 111.12 meters. From 4 to 8 people can take part in each race, and they all start together. The short track appeared in the program of the Olympic Games only in 1988, but only as an indicative form. Literally after 4 years, the first sets of awards in this competition were played. An important feature of the short track: athletes are not competing for the best time, the fight is on the knockout. From each four, two people go to the next round and so compete until there are four of them. It is between them that there is a struggle for medals. Here, as well as in speed skating, individual competitions and relay races are held.
How short track differs from speed skating
Naturally, these are not all the differences in these sports. In addition to the rules, there is a huge difference in equipment. Let's look at it in more detail.
In the short track, an athlete will not be able to do without special skates, which are higher than classic speed skates. This is done so that not only the foot, but also the ankle is fixed. Such skates are made individually. They also have special blades of a different shape. Few people know that the participant sharpens them before each race.
Short trackers also need tough leather gloves with special forms of epoxy glue that are worn on the fingers. The helmet must be made of especially durable plastic. The suit always tightly fits the body, which allows to reduce resistance. Knee pads, elbow pieces and shields for the neck and chin will help save you from injuries. Some athletes also use glasses with lenses in different colors to protect their eyes.
Briefly about the main thing
Let's once again note how the short track differs from speed skating:
- Track length.
- The number of athletes.
- Stadium.
Now you know how the short track differs from speed skating, and you can watch your favorite competitions already at the next winter games, which will be held in the Korean city of Pyeongchang in 2018. In the meantime, it remains for us to wait for the Summer Olympics, and our athletes to intensively prepare for it in order to repeat their success.