Olympic speed skaters skate in pairs but are basically racing against the clock to get a better time than skaters in other heats.
The races are held on a 400 meter oval, and speed skaters must change lanes on the back straightaway of each lap. The most recent gold medal winner was Sven Kramer of the Netherlands who won silver in 2006.
The 5000 meter speed skating competition has been won twice in the Winter Olympics by Ivar Ballangrud of Norway and S Tomas Gustafson of Sweden. Eric Heiden of the United States won the event in 1980 when he swept all five speed skating medals.
Men's 5000M Speedskating Medal Winners
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Olympic speed skaters skate in pairs but are basically racing against the clock to get a better time than skaters in other heats.