A winter sport of moving on ice using bladed boots, with competitive forms in speed, figure, and short track racing.
Origin and rules
Recreational ice skating dates back at least 4000 years to bone-blade skates used in Finland, but speed and figure events were codified in the Netherlands and Britain in the 19th century. The International Skating Union was founded in 1892.
How it plays
Competitive ice skating includes long-track speed skating around a 400-metre oval, short-track racing on a 111-metre rink, figure skating’s judged programmes, and synchronised skating for teams. Each discipline has distinct boots, blades, and rules.
Competition
The ISU World Championships and the Winter Olympics anchor the calendar. The Netherlands dominates speed skating, while Russia, Japan, the United States, and South Korea lead in figure and short track. Skating has appeared at every Winter Olympics since 1924.