The international history of this sport starts in 1937, when the first World Championship was held in Monza (Italy). Since then, speed skating has been gathering recognition and has officially been included in the Youth Olympic Games in 2018, in Buenos Aires.

While competing, elite athletes reach speeds of 50km/h and might even go over 110 km/h during extreme descents. In 2017, the world record for a descent was registered with an impressive figure of 131,86 km/h.

The competition is mostly held outdoors, in oval shaped tracks with lengths between 200 and 250 m, and every detail counts. Many races are won by a matter of milliseconds and the victory is decided using photo finish, a technology that captures an exact image of the finishing line.

The skates are designed for maximum performance, having up to five wheels and diameters that might reach 110 mm, allowing higher stability and speed. Currently, Colombia is the world’s leading country in this sport.

Speed, technique and emotion: all this will be witnessed in Terras do Infante 2026, in Lagos. The audience can expect thrilling moments.