Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics

At the 1932 Winter Olympics, four speed skating events were contested. For the only time in the Olympic history, the speed skating were held as pack-style events, having all competitors skate at the same time. Women were allowed to compete in speed skating for the first time in history in a set of demonstration events. The IOC was reluctant to upgrade women’s events to full medal events, although the organizing committee of the Games advocated for the full inclusion of women’s events. The distances for women were 500 m, 1000 m and 1500 m. The pack-style racing would pave the way for short track speed skating, that would debut as a demonstration event at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary before becoming an official Olympic event at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville.

Speed skating at the III Olympic Winter Games
Pictogram for speed skating
Venue	James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink
Date	4–10 February 1932
No. of events	4
Competitors	31 from 6 nations

Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics
500 m	men	women
1000 m		women
1500 m	men	women
5000 m	men
10,000 m	men

The men's competitions were held on Thursday, February 4, 1932, Friday, February 5, 1932, Saturday, February 6, 1932, and on Monday, February 8, 1932. The women's events were contested from Monday, February 8, 1932 to Wednesday, February 10, 1932.[1]