Learn how Olympic speed skating works — event formats, race distances, elimination rounds, mass start rules, and how skaters advance to medal contention at the Winter Games.

Short track will be contested Feb. 10-20 at the Milano Ice Skating Arena, also known as the Unipol Forum, in Assago, just outside Milan. It’s the same arena being used for figure skating during the Olympics. The competition begins with the mixed team relay on Feb. 10 and ends with the men’s 5,000-meter relay and women’s 1,500 meters on Feb. 20.

From the schedule to the rules, here's everything to know for the short track speed skating competitions at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — History could be made in multiple ways at the speedskating venues in Milan with a pair of Americans set to challenge Dutch dominance on the long track oval while an Italian short track skater looks to make the most of home ice.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will officially kick off with the Opening Ceremony in Milan on February 6. However, competitions begin earlier, with the first events on February 4.

After competing in the Beijing Winter Olympics, Warrington's Andrew Heo qualifies for 2026 Milan Games in 500-meter short track speedskating

She was the dominant force at U.S. Speed Skating Trials in January, winning not only the 1000m and 1500m, but also the 500m after World No. 1 Erin Jackson slipped in her race and lost precious time. However,