500 metres, Men

The event was conceded to Soviet sprinter Yevgeny Grishin who had not lost a 500 since 1956, and had only been beaten twice at the distance internationally, placing second at the 1956 World Championships, and fifth at the 1955 Worlds. Grishin was the defending champion and the world record holder, twice setting the record in 1956 at Misurina. He was actually a solid all-around skater, having won the 1956 European Championship and placing third at the Worlds in 1954 and 1956, but had not skated at the Worlds in 1958-59. The early leader in the race was Norway’s Alv Gjestvang, posting 40.8 in the second pair. His time was beaten in the fifth pair by American Bill Disney, who finished in 40.3. That time held up until the 15th pair, in which Grishin skated. He was looking to win easily, and it appeared he would break the 40-second barrier, but he stumbled badly on the homestretch, costing him perhaps a full second. But his dominance was such that he still won, finishing in 40.2 for his second consecutive gold medal in the event. In the next pair, his teammate, Rafael Grach, posted 40.4 to win the bronze medal. Grishin had shared the 1,500 gold in 1956 and a few days later, would also defend his gold medal in that event, remarkably again sharing the gold in a tie for first place. Grishin would compete thru 1964, retiring after winning a silver medal in the 500 at Innsbruck. In 1963 at Medeo, he broke the world record twice, posting 39.6 on 27 January to break the 40-second barrier, a time he bettered with 39.5 the next day.