Dutch and Norwegian history is steeped in the history of long-distance skating, so it's no surprise their skaters dominate this event. Not to be forgotten are the Americans, though defending-Olympic 5,000-metre champion Chad Hedrick, at 32, is at his last Games. Dutch star Sven Kramer is a is a three-time reigning world champion in the 5,000 and took silver four years ago in Turin, while Norway's Havard Bokko  should provide him with a stiff test. Not to be forgotten, Italy's Enrico Fabris, who posted the fastest Olympic qualifying time in the world (6:06.06) in December, which was just three seconds slower (6:03.32) than Kramer's world's best. 

    1. Sven Kramer, NED

    2. Bob de Jong, NED

    3. Ivan Skobrev, RUS

    4. Havard Bokko, NOR

    5. Carl Verheijen, NED

If there are any in this event, they lie with 20-year-old Lucas Makowsky of Regina. Though he's Canada's top-ranked skater in the 5,000, his Olympic qualifying time is a good 15 seconds or more off some of the top athletes and a podium would be ahead of schedule for him.

Denny Morrison also has this event on his schedule, but the Canadian is more of a middle-distance specialist. American Shani Davis, however, has dropped the 10,000 in order to bolster his bid for medals in the four other events, including the 5,000.