The speed skating competition of the 1968 Winter Olympic Games was held in Grenoble, France. Events took place at the outdoor venue known as L'Anneau de Vitesse (the Speed Skating Oval) from 9 February to 13 February 1968.
Program
The programme comprised eight individual events, divided equally between men and women:
- Men’s distances – 500 m, 1 500 m, 5 000 m, and 10 000 m.
- Women’s distances – 500 m, 1 000 m, 1 500 m, and 3 000 m.
These were the second Winter Games in which women’s speed skating was contested, following its introduction in 1960.
Participation
A total of 124 athletes representing 19 National Olympic Committees competed in the speed skating events. The participating nations included traditional speed‑skating powers such as the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, Norway, the United States, and West Germany, as well as several others making their debut or returning after absences.
Medal summary
Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded in each of the eight events. The overall medal distribution saw multiple nations reach the podium, with the Soviet Union, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United States among those earning gold medals. Detailed medal counts for each nation are recorded in the official Olympic reports.
Historical context
The 1968 Games were notable for being the first Winter Olympics in which all speed‑skating events were staged on an outdoor track that had been prepared specifically for the competition, rather than using an existing facility. Weather conditions, including temperature fluctuations, were a factor influencing athletes’ performances throughout the program.
Legacy
The results of the 1968 speed skating events contributed to the evolution of the sport, prompting subsequent Olympic organizers to consider indoor venues to provide more consistent ice conditions. Several medalists from Grenoble went on to achieve further success in international competitions, influencing training methods and competitive strategies in the years that followed.
