Olympians have already hailed Sochi’s “cool” and “beautiful” Adler Arena, which will host speed skating events during next year’s Olympic Winter Games.

At a ceremony today marking one year to go until the start of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge officially invited the world’s National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and their athletes to take part in the Games.

German pairs skater Robin Szolkowy’s partnership with Aliona Savchenko dominated the event for years, but they had to settle for bronze at Vancouver 2010.

Demonstrating creativity while executing precise jumps and movements, with a global audience and an eagle-eyed panel of nine judges watching, is the daunting task facing competitors in figure skating. But whether that prospect is more challenging than racing on an oval track on blade-thin, ankle-high skates in search of Olympic glory is a question to which speed skaters, both long and short track, could perhaps provide the answer.

1928 St. Moritz Opening date: 11 February 1928 Closing date: 19 February 1928 Country of the host city: Switzerland (SUI) Candidate cities: Davos (SUI), Engelberg (SUI) Nations: 25 Events: 14