Speed Skating Qualification for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games
The qualification process for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) was designed to ensure a competitive and diverse field of young athletes. With a strict limit on the number of participants, the International Skating Union (ISU) implemented a system based on performance at major junior championships and world rankings to determine which skaters would represent their National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Key Facts
- Total Quota: 64 skaters (32 men and 32 women).
- NOC Limit: Maximum of six athletes per NOC (three per gender).
- Event Limit: Maximum of two entries per event per NOC.
- Age Eligibility: Athletes must have been born between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2004.
- Primary Qualifiers: 2019 World Junior Speed Skating Championships and ISU Junior World Cup rankings.
Eligibility and Quota Structure
To maintain the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games, eligibility was strictly tied to age. Only skaters born between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2004, were permitted to compete. The overall competition capacity was capped at 64 skaters, split evenly between 32 men and 32 women.
While an NOC could send up to six athletes in total, they were restricted to three athletes per gender. Furthermore, to ensure a broad range of participating nations, no more than two skaters from a single NOC could enter any individual event.
The Qualification Process
The allocation of spots followed a tiered priority system to reward the highest-performing junior athletes globally.
World Junior Championships
The first wave of quotas was awarded based on the 2019 World Junior Speed Skating Championships. The top six athletes per gender in the 500-meter and 1500-meter events earned a quota place. Each NOC was limited to a maximum of two quotas through this specific pathway.
ISU Junior World Cup Rankings
Remaining spots were filled using the ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating rankings. To ensure fairness and diversity, the ISU applied four specific restrictions during this allocation:
- The highest-ranked skaters from NOCs that had already secured quotas were disregarded in a number equal to the quotas already received.
- Only the skater's highest distance rank was considered.
- Priority was given to NOCs that had not yet qualified or had only secured one quota before a third quota could be allocated to another nation.
- The host nation was guaranteed one athlete in each event if they had not already qualified.
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Final Quota Distribution
The final allocation was officially announced by the ISU on November 29, 2019. A total of 22 NOCs successfully qualified athletes for the games.
| NOC | Boys' | Girls' | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belarus | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| China | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Czech Republic | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Finland | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Germany | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Kazakhstan | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Netherlands | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Norway | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Poland | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Russia | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| South Korea | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Spain | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Italy | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Austria | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Belgium | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Colombia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Great Britain | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hungary | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Romania | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| United States | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 32 | 32 | 64 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the age requirement for the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics speed skating?
Athletes were eligible if they were born between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2004.
How many athletes could a single country send?
Each National Olympic Committee (NOC) could send a maximum of six athletes, with a limit of three per gender.
How were the initial quotas determined?
The top six athletes per gender in the 500m and 1500m events at the 2019 World Junior Speed Skating Championships earned the first set of quotas.
What happened if a country did not qualify through the championships?
Remaining quotas were allocated based on the ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating rankings, subject to specific restrictions to ensure diverse national representation.
Did the host nation receive any special treatment?
Yes, the host nation had the right to enter one athlete in each event if they had not already qualified through the standard process.