Speed skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics, was held from 9 February to 18 February. Nine events were contested at James B. Sheffield Olympic Skating Rink.

Medal summary

Medal table

The United States led the medal table with five gold medals, thanks to Eric Heiden's sweep of the men's events, which made him the first, and as of 2023, only, athlete to win five gold medals at a Winter Games. Heiden led the individual medal table, while the most successful woman was Russian Nataliya Petrusyova, who won one gold and one bronze medal. American Leah Poulos-Mueller won two silver medals.

Men's events

Women's events

Records

All previous Olympic records were broken in Lake Placid, along with one world record, from Eric Heiden in the final event, the men's 10000 metres.

Participating NOCs

Nineteen nations competed in the speed skating events at Lake Placid. China and Romania made their debuts in the sport.