SHORT TRACK

Short track speed skating can be traced back to the Europe at the end of last century.

Initially the sport was dominated by German and Dutch skaters but it soon spread to North America.

By 1921 the first Canada and the United States had organised an annual international short track championship.

By 1932 the popularity of the sport, which often involved many crashes, was such that it was included in the Lake Placid Olympics.

However the first World Championships were not held in 1981.

By then the rest of the world had caught up with America and Canada, who had dominated the early years of the sport.

Unlike speed skating this event is untimed and pits skaters against each other and not the clock - however both events are to be held at Nagano City itself.

There are three Olyimpic events - the 500m, the 1000m and the 3000m relay for women and the 5000m relay for men.

With skaters reaching up to 30mph races are often very close and there can be some nasty accidents - both of which add to the event's appeal.

© PA Sporting Life