Today’s Olympic games have an ever expanding list of events and and an incredibly talented and diverse group of athletes. This year, we are proud to see one of our very own North Stars is competing as a Long Track Speed Skater. Austin Kleba, a 2017 graduate, began skating at 3 ½ years old on hockey skates. Eventually, an ongoing shoulder injury convinced him to transition to speed skating in 2014. You can find a list of Austin’s impressive achievements at Austin Kleba’s Olympic page.

Speed Skating made its Olympic debut at the Winter Games at Chamonix, France in 1924. Below are some historical facts about this sport - you can find more at: Speed Skating 101: Olympic history

• The first skates were made 1000 years ago from the polished shank or rib bones of animals. People in the Netherlands used them to cross frozen rivers.

• In 1850, E.W. Bushnell made the first pair of all-steel skates.

• Women’s speed skating was first contested at the 1960 Winter Olympics. Jeanne Ashworth was the first American woman to win a speed skating medal; she won bronze in the 500m in Squaw Valley.

• In 1998 the clap skate made its Olympic debut - the heel of the blade is not attached to the boot, and the toe of the blade is affixed to the boot with a hinge. As the skater picks up her foot, the blade briefly disconnects from the heel of the boot, keeping the blade on the ice longer and increasing the skater’s pushing power.

• In 2014, Dutch speed skaters owned the Sochi Olympics, winning eight out of 12 available gold medals

The Olympics long and amazing history is filled with incredibly exciting competitions and fascinating athletes. You can lose yourself in wonderful books that tell thrilling tales about particular Olympians or key moments in Olympic history. We know there is at least one book below that you will enjoy!