(*) The record was set in a high altitude venue (more than 1000 metres above sea level) and on artificially frozen ice.
(**) The record was set in a high altitude venue (more than 1000 metres above sea level) and on naturally frozen ice.
Results
Yevgeny Grishin who was the first speed skater to defend his 500 metres Olympic title was also able to repeat his win in the 1500 metres event. In 1956 he shared the win with fellow countryman Yuri Mikhaylov. This time Grishin tied with Roald Aas. Grishin was the second speed skater to win two gold medals in 1500 metres competitions after Clas Thunberg won in 1924 and 1928.