Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Short Track Speed Skating Preview

In part two of my speed skating preview, here is what to expect in the short track speed skating at Sochi.

Per ISU's quota standards, 25 countries will have at least one or two women in at least one of the eight events. The event debuted at Albertville 1992.

As far as history, there have been multiple winners in the men's 500m, including Apolo Anton Ohno (United States), who won gold at Turin 2006. Kim Gi Hyun (Republic of Korea) is the only multiple winner of the 1000m, at both Albertville 1992 and Lillehammer 1994. Ohno is also one of three different winners of the 1500m, including Lee Jeong Su (Republic of Korea), who won that event at Vancouver 2010. Canada has won the 5000m relay three times, the most in that event, at Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002 and again at Vancouver.

Cathy Turner (United States, Albertville and Lillehammer) and Wang Meng (China, Turin 2006 and Vancouver) are the only multiple winners of the women's 500m. Jeon I Gyeong (Republic of Korea, Albertville and Nagano) is the only multiple winner of the 1000m. In the 1500m, three different gold medalists, including Zhou Yang (China), who won at Vancouver. And the east Asian dominance in the women's short track just don't stop, as Republic of Korea has won the most times when it comes to the 3000m relay, as they won at Lillehammer, Nagano, Salt Lake City and Turin.

The Iceberg Skating Palace (pictured, above) is the venue for the short track speed skating at Sochi.

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