Allround, Men

The allround competition had been the main form of speed skating since the beginning of international competition, and remained the World Championship format until the 1970s, when a sprint format was added. It is therefore strange that this event was only contested once at the Olympics, in 1924. The format used in the 1924 Olympics differs from the one currently used, as it used a point-for-place scoring system. Of note, the positions were those of the skaters who actually finished all four distances. This could make for interesting team tactics, with skaters deciding to forfeit or continue in spite of a bad position to help their countrymen (or hinder their opponents).

No such tactics were necessary at the 1924 Games, however. Because Charley Jewtraw and Oskar Olsen were not entered in the allround competition, the lead was taken by Clas Thunberg and Roald Larsen. With Thunberg taking gold in both the 5,000 and 1,500 metres, the title was virtually certain to go to the Finn. The difference with Larsen after three races was three points, which was not impossible because of Thunberg’s 10,000 metre record. The Finnish double victory in that event did seal it for Thunberg, while victor Julius Skutnabb also secured a bronze in the allround competition.