Speed skating at the 1972 Winter Olympics, was held from 4 to 12 February.

Eight events were contested at Makomanai Open Stadium in Sapporo, Japan.

Schenk led the individual medal table, winning each of the three longer distance events.

The most successful female skater was the Netherlands's Stien Kaiser, who won one gold and one silver medal.

[3][4] Eighteen nations competed in the speed skating events at Sapporo.