The 500 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1948 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Saturday, 31 January 1948. Forty-two speed skaters from 15 nations competed.
Medalists
Records These were the standing world and Olympic records (in seconds) prior to the 1948 Winter Olympics.
World record 41.8(*) Hans Engnestangen Davos (SUI) 5 February 1938 Olympic Record 43.4 Clas Thunberg St. Moritz (SUI) 13 February 1928 43.4 Bernt Evensen St. Moritz (SUI) 13 February 1928 43.4(**) Jack Shea Lake Placid (USA) 4 February 1932 43.4 Ivar Ballangrud Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER) 11 February 1936
(*) The record was set in a high altitude venue (more than 1000 metres above sea level) and on naturally frozen ice.
(**) This time was set in pack-style format, having all competitors skate at the same time.
Five speed skaters were faster than the standing Olympic record. Finn Helgesen set a time of 43.1 seconds.
Results
PlaceAthleteTime 1 43.1 2 43.2 43.2 43.2 5 43.3 6 43.6 43.6 43.6 43.6 10 43.7 11 44.0 44.0 13 44.7 14 44.8 44.8 16 45.2 17 45.3 45.3 19 45.5 20 45.6 21 45.7 45.7 23 45.9 45.9 25 46.0 26 46.1 27 46.2 28 46.3 29 46.4 46.4 46.4 32 46.5 46.5 34 46.8 35 46.9 36 47.2 37 47.4 47.4 39 47.8 40 48.3 41 48.7 – DNF
References
External links Official Olympic Report