Short Track Speed Skating - Salt Lake Ice Center Short track speed skating races began to occur in Europe shortly after speed skating became an established international sport. However, it was not until the early 1900s that short track found its audience in North America. The United States and Canada organized short track competitions as far back as 1906 and organized an annual international short track championship in 1921. Short track speed skating made its first Olympic appearance at the 1988 Calgary Games as a demonstration sport and featured 10 events. The sport's popularity was immediately apparent. The IOC admitted short track to the Olympic program in 1992 but limited it to one individual and one relay event for men and women in Albertville (men's 1000 meters, women's 500, and the men's and women's relays). Following the success of its Olympic debut, short track was expanded to six events in Lillehammer in 1994, with the men and women competing in the 500, 1000 and relay. The program has once again been expanded for the Salt Lake Games, with the IOC adding the men's and women's 1500 for a total of eight events. Back to top