A total of 166 quota spots (83 per gender) were distributed to the sport, a decline of 14 from the 2018 Winter Olympics.

[2] A total quota of 166 athletes was allowed to compete at the Games (maximum 83 men and 83 women).

[3] For the 2018 Winter Olympics the total quota was 180 athletes (maximum 100 men and 80 women).

Countries were assigned quotas based on the results of ISU Speed Skating World Cup competitions.

In the men's 500 metres event, a false start was called in the last two heats, one of which included current World Cup champion Laurent Dubreuil.