A brand-new Olympic event is coming to Speed Skating!

The Men's and Women's Team Sprint will officially make its Olympic debut at the Olympic Winter Games Alpes 2030, following approval by the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The addition of Team Sprint brings one of Speed Skating's fastest and most dynamic events to the world's biggest winter sports stage, creating even more opportunities for athletes to compete for Olympic medals while giving fans another thrilling event to look forward to.

Team Norway competes in Men’s Team Sprint race at the ISU Speed Skating Junior World Championships 2026 in Inzell, Germany.© ISU

What is Team Sprint?

If you haven't watched Team Sprint before, you're in for a treat.

Introduced as a demonstration event during the 2014/15 ISU World Cup Speed Skating season before becoming an official event in 2016/17, Team Sprint has quickly become one of the sport's most exciting race formats.

The event is a three-lap race featuring teams of three skaters. Two teams start on opposite sides of the track, racing against the clock to set the fastest time.

All three skaters begin together, but after the opening lap, the lead skater leaves the track. After the second lap, the next skater peels away, leaving the final teammate to sprint the last lap alone and stop the clock for the team.

With explosive speed, seamless teamwork and tactical precision, every skater plays a crucial role. The result is a fast, unpredictable race that keeps fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The Countdown Starts Now

The Olympic debut may still be a few years away, but fans won't have to wait until Alpes 2030 to experience the excitement.

Team Sprint has been part of the ISU Speed Skating World Cup since the 2016/17 season, giving fans plenty of opportunities to enjoy one of the sport's fastest and most entertaining events before it reaches the Olympic stage.

Whether you're discovering Team Sprint for the first time or already cheering for your favourite teams, the countdown to its Olympic debut has officially begun!

Ready for more Team Sprint? Check out the ISU Speed Skating Event Calendar 2026/27 and don't miss the action!