European Speed Skating Championships for Men
The International Skating Union has organised the European Speed Skating Championships for Men since 1893. Unofficial championships were held in the years 1891–1892.
History
Program
- In the years 1891–1892, three distances had to be skated: mile – 1 mile – .
- In the years 1893–1895, three distances had to be skated: 500 m – 1500 m – 5000 m.
- In the years 1896–1935, four distances had to be skated: 500 m – 1500 m – 5000 m – 10000 m.
- In the years 1936–1939 and 1947, four distances had to be skated: 500 m – 1500 m – 3000 m – 5000 m.
- In the years 1946, 1948–2017 and subsequent odd years, four distances are skated: 500 m – 1500 m – 5000 m – 10000 m.
- Starting in 2017, in odd years, a separate competition with four distances is held: 500 m – 1000 m – 500 m – 1000 m.
- Starting in 2018, in even years, a single distance championships with seven events will be held: 500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, 5000 m, team pursuit, mass start, and team sprint.
Ranking systems used
- In the years 1891–1895, one could only win the European Championships by winning the majority of the distances, so there would be no European Champion if no skater won at least two of three distances. Silver and bronze medals were never awarded.
- In the years 1896–1907, one could only win the European Championships by winning the majority of the distances, so there would be no European Champion if no skater won at least two of four distances. If there would be two skaters who won two distances each, the title would be awarded to one of them who had the better total time at four distances. Silver and bronze medals were never awarded.
- In the years 1908–1925, ranking points were awarded ; the final ranking was then decided by ordering the skaters by lowest point totals. The rule that a skater winning at least three distances was automatically European Champion was in effect, though, so the ranking could be affected by that. Silver and bronze medals were awarded now as well.
- In the years 1926–1927, the ranking points on each distance were percentage points, calculated from a skater's time and the current European record time. Apart from that, the system used was the same as in the immediately preceding years.
- Since 1928, the samalog system has been in use. However, the rule that a skater winning at least three distances was automatically European Champion remained in effect until 1986.
