For each individual event except the mass start, skaters race in pairs against the clock on a standard 400-meter oval that has been approved by the International Skating Union (ISU). Athletes race in their own lanes and are timed to the 1/100th of a second as they skate counterclockwise around the oval, which means the inner side of the track is on the left-hand side of the skater.

A country may enter only skaters who have achieved qualifying points and times set by the ISU for the respective distances. The total number of competitors from any country may not exceed 10 women and 10 men. For the men’s and women’s 500m, 1000m and 1500m, a country may enter a maximum of three competitors in each event. A maximum of 36 total male athletes are permitted to participate in the men’s 500m, 1000m and 1500m races, and a maximum of 32 total female athletes are permitted to participate in the women’s 500m, 1000m and 1500m.

For the women’s 3000m and men’s 5000m, a country may enter a maximum of three competitors in each event. A maximum of 24 total skaters are permitted to participate in each event. 

For the women’s 5000m and men’s 10,000m, a country may enter a maximum of two competitors in each even. A maximum of 12 total skaters are permitted in each event.

For the men’s and women’s mass start, a country may enter a maximum of two competitors in each event. A maximum of 24 total skaters are permitted in each event.

For the team pursuit, a maximum of eight teams will be permitted in each event. The host nation will receive an automatic spot in the group of eight.

The following officials are necessary at an Olympic speed skating competition:

•    Referee and one Assistant Referee
•    One or two Starters and an Assistant
•    Finishing Line Judge
•    Chief Timekeeper and Assistant Chief Timekeepers
•    Lap Scorers
•    Track Judges, including two Corner Judges (at least two for each curve), one Judge to observe crossing of the lines in the finishing straight, and one Crossing Controller
•    Ice Technical Expert
•    Sport Expert

The women’s and men’s events each have a separate team of Referees and Starters.

Prior to each start, the names of the skaters about to compete clearly are announced at the starting point itself and in the dressing area. Failure to appear promptly at the start is equivalent to withdrawal from the distance. Once at the starting area, skaters place themselves at the pre-start line, which is two meters (6.56 feet) behind the start line.

Next, the starter orders the skaters to the start line, where the skaters take a stable position. The starter then will call “ready,” whereupon the skaters take their starting position and keep this position until the starting shot is fired. Competitors must keep their skates entirely behind the starting line and may not have their skates on or over the starting line. In addition, the skaters may not touch the starting line or be in contact with the ice beyond the starting line with any parts of their body or equipment. 

There shall be a distinct interval (about 1 to 1½ seconds) between when the skaters have taken their starting positions and the firing of the shot.

If a skater takes the starting position before the word “ready,” or leaves the position before the shot is fired, it is a false start. If one or both skaters intentionally are slow in taking up their starting position, the offending skater(s) are given a false start. If one of the skaters breaks from his mark, thereby causing the other skater to follow him, only the skater at fault is given a false start. 

The starter will warn the skater committing the first false start. If both skaters are responsible for a false start, they both will be warned by the starter. The starter then calls for a new start. If the offending skater(s) commits a second false start, they are disqualified from the race.

Skaters are required to change lanes once during each lap because the inner lane of the speed skating oval covers a shorter distance than the outer lane. 

The lane change takes place when a skater arrives at the crossing straight (the back straight opposite the finish area) and the right of way is given to the skater switching from the outer to the inner lane. The skater leaving the inner lane is considered responsible for collisions, unless the other skater acts in an obstructive way.

The exception to the crossover requirement is the first lap of the 1000m and 1500m events.

Skaters can be disqualified for cutting the lines or leaving the inner curve.

Cutting the lines: When entering the curves, in the curve and coming out of the curve, a skater is forbidden to cross the inner line of the curve, as defined by movable blocks, for the purpose of shortening the distance. This offense may result in the skater being disqualified.

Leaving inner curve: If a skater, because of high speed, a fall or other incidents, cannot hold the inner curve or the first part of the finishing straight, and interferes with the skater in the outer lane, it will result in a disqualification.

Because most speed skating races feature two athletes competing in their own designated lanes, obstructions are rare. However, a skater may also risk disqualification if they push, block or otherwise impede the progress of their opponent.

In speed skating, the processes for protests and appeals differ, according to the regulations laid out by the International Skating Union (ISU).

Protests, which typically are challenges made against a referee's decision on the oval, only may be made in the event of perceived incorrect data processing or mathematical calculation. Skaters may not protest decisions regarding disqualification for rule violations. 

A skater's protest must be submitted directly to the referee who made the decision in question, either in person or via email. Additionally, the protest must be made within 24 hours after the completion of the competition. The referee then is allowed time to review any relevant video feed before they deliver their decision and reasoning, which are final and can not be appealed.

Appeals usually request formal reviews of decisions made by a governing body, committee, or individual with authority regarding eligibility, selection, disciplinary actions and other matters related to participation. Skaters also may appeal the panel of officials assigned to review an appeal, but only in specific cases.

Appeals must be filed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which reviews appeals regarding the following topics: the eligibility of a skater, official or ISU office holder; penalties against and suspensions of ISU members; or disciplinary actions against skaters, officials or other participating ISU members. Appeals regarding eligibility must be made before the competition in question begins. For appeals against decisions made by a referee, such as incorrect mathematical calculations, the skater must submit their appeal within 30 days from the issuance of the decision. Appeals do not affect the referee's decision in any way, including suspension of the decision, until after they are reviewed.

A skater has completed a distance when the tip of a skate touches or reaches the finish line after the prescribed number of laps. If a skater falls short of the finish line and slides across the finish, time will still be recorded at the moment the tip of the lead skate reaches the finish line, or the extension of the finish line if the skater is out of the lane.

A team finishes in the team pursuit when all three skaters complete the prescribed number of laps (eight for men, six for women). If fewer than three skaters of the team finish the race, the team is disqualified.

Two methods of timekeeping exist: automatic and manual. The use of automatic timekeeping is compulsory for the Olympic Winter Games. The term “automatic timekeeping” denotes a time-measuring system that is started automatically by the firing of a starting gun, and stopped automatically when the finish line is crossed by each competitor, respectively. 

A manual timekeeping procedure also has to be put in place. If the automatic system partly or fully fails, the missing times are established based on the manual results, which are results taken by hand on digital electronic watches.