5,000 metre relay, Men

This race was expected to be a contest between Italy and the Netherlands. The Dutch had won the relay at the European Championships in January, setting a world record of 7:22.12 in the progress. At the World Championships, just prior to the Olympics, their skaters had done very well, claiming first, second and fourth place in the all-around. Yet in the relay competition, they were edged out by the Italians. In Calgary, the Dutchmen again prevailed, beating the Italians by a full second.