Speed skating at the 1948 Winter Olympics – Men's 500 metres


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 prior to the 1948 Winter Olympics.
World Record41.8' Hans EngnestangenDavos 5 February 1938
Olympic Record43.4 Clas ThunbergSt. Moritz 13 February 1928
Olympic Record43.4 Bernt EvensenSt. Moritz 13 February 1928
Olympic Record43.4' Jack SheaLake Placid 4 February 1932
Olympic Record43.4 Ivar BallangrudGarmisch-Partenkirchen 11 February 1936

' The record was set in a high altitude venue 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
143.1
243.2
243.2
243.2
543.3
643.6
643.6
643.6
643.6
1043.7
1144.0
1144.0
1344.7
1444.8
1444.8
1645.2
1745.3
1745.3
1945.5
2045.6
2145.7
2145.7
2345.9
2345.9
2546.0
2646.1
2746.2
2846.3
2946.4
2946.4
2946.4
3246.5
3246.5
3446.8
3546.9
3647.2
3747.4
3747.4
3947.8
4048.3
4148.7
–DNF