Speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics, was held from 9 February to 18 February. Nine events were contested at James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.
Medal summary Medal table
The United States led the medal table with five gold medals, thanks to Eric Heiden's sweep of the men's events, which made him the first athlete to win five gold medals at a Winter Games.
Heiden led the individual medal table, while the most successful woman was Russian Nataliya Petrusyova, who won one gold and one bronze medal. American Leah Poulos-Mueller won two silver medals.
Men's events
500 metres 38.03(OR) 38.37 38.48 1000 metres 1:15.18(OR) 1:16.68 1:16.91 1500 metres 1:55.44(OR) 1:56.81 1:56.92 5000 metres 7:02.29(OR) 7:03.28 7:05.59 10,000 metres 14:28.13 14:36.03 14:36.60
Women's events
500 metres 41.78(OR) 42.26 42.42 1000 metres 1:24.10(OR) 1:25.41 1:26.46 1500 metres 2:10.95(OR) 2:12.35 2:12.38 3000 metres 4:32.13(OR) 4:32.79 4:33.77
Records
All previous Olympic records were broken in Lake Placid, along with one world record, from Eric Heiden in the final event, the men's 10000 metres.
Event Date Team Time OR WR Men's 500 metres 15 February 38.03 OR Men's 1000 metres 19 February 1:15.18 OR Men's 1500 metres 21 February 1:55.44 OR Men's 5000 metres 16 February 7:02.29 OR Men's 10000 metres 23 February 14:28.13 OR WR Women's 500 metres 15 February 41.78 OR Women's 1000 metres 17 February 1:24.10 OR Women's 1500 metres 14 February 2:10.95 OR Women's 3000 metres 20 February 4:32.13 OR
Participating NOCs
Nineteen nations competed in the speed skating events at Lake Placid. China and Romania made their debuts in the sport.
References