Speedskating began nearly 600 years ago as a way for Vikings to cross frozen lakes and rivers. The first all-iron skate was created in 1572 in Scotland. The sport quickly spread thoughout Europe.
The first U.S. speedskating club was formed in Philadelphia in 1849.
In 1850, an American revolutionized the sport. E.W. Bushnell made the first all-steel skate. The skate was lighter and stronger than the previous skate. The skate helped popularize the sport in the United States.
Charles Jewtraw, of Lake Placid, N.Y., was the first Winter Olympic Gold Medalist. He won the 500-meter race in 1924.
The United States has won more Olympic medals in speedskating than in any other Winter Olympic sport. Some of the United States most famous Olympians were speedskaters.
Bonnie Blair won five gold medals as a speedskater. In 1980 Eric Heiden won five gold medals.
The 2002 Olympic Speedskating events will take place at the Olympic Park Oval. The oval is the world's highest-altitude indoor skating oval.
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