5,000 metres, Men

The heavy favorite was Dutch skater Ard Schenk. He had already set 15 world records in his career, and was World Champion in 1970-71 and European Champion in 1970 and 1972. Schenk was trying to win all four races in Sapporo, although he was considered a longshot in the 500 m, but he was the current world record holder in the 5,000 with 7:12.0.

Schenk started in the first pair, while it was snowing. Although it would later stop, the snow seemed not to bother him, as he posted 7:23.61, to win easily. Norway’s Roar Grønvold was in the third pair and would finish almost five seconds back of Schenk, in 7:28.18, but it was good for the silver medal. The bronze went to Norway’s Sten Stensen, another five seconds back in 7:33.39. Schenk and Grønvold were helped by the conditions as the ice was in poor condition after the fourth pair, due to poor ice preparation.

Schenk eventually won three gold medals in Sapporo, all except the 500, matching the feats of Clas Thunberg in 1924, Ivar Ballangrud in 1936, and Hjalmar Andersen in 1952. In his career, Schenk set 18 world records, won eight major international tournaments, and numerous distance titles. He was awarded the Oscar Mathisen Trophy in 1970, 1971, and 1972, and is considered one of the greatest speed skaters of all-time. Schenk briefly skated a short-lived professional circuit after the 1972 Winter Olympics, which lasted only 1½ seasons.