In competitions, multiple skaters (typically between four and six) skate on an oval ice track with a length of 111.111 metres (364.54 ft).

At the 1932 Winter Olympics, speed skating events were conducted in the mass start form.

Competitions in North America tended to be held indoors, for example in Madison Square Garden, New York, and therefore on shorter tracks than was usual for outdoor skating.

Short-track speed skating was introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada.

A relay team would be penalized if they committed the following: The following is the list of athletes who are Individual gold medalist at the Olympic Winter Games or Overall World Champion and have won Olympic Winter Games or Overall World Championships at least three times.