The European Speed Skating Championships are a series of speed skating

Speed skating

Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...

 events held annually to determine the best allround speed skater of Europe. The International Skating Union

International Skating Union

The International Skating Union is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, Netherlands in 1892, making it one of the oldest international...

 has organised the European Championships for Men

European Speed Skating Championships for Men

The International Skating Union has organised the European Speed Skating Championships for Men since 1893. Unofficial Championships were held in the years 1891-1892.-History:-Distances used:...

 since 1893 (unofficial Championships were held in the years 1891-1892) and the European Championships for Women

European Speed Skating Championships for Women

The International Skating Union has organised the European Speed Skating Championships for Women since 1970, but they were discontinued after the 1974 tournament because of lack of interest...

 since 1970. The winner is awarded a laurel wreath

Laurel wreath

A laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...

. Since 1990, the men's and women's European Championships are held at the same time and venue.

History and medal winners

Combined all-time medal count

rank	country	Gold	Silver	Bronze	total
1	Norway	38	36	32	106
2	Netherlands	34	35	39	108
3	Germany	22	18	9	49
4	Soviet Union/ Russia	19	13	22	53
5	Sweden	9	3	8	20
6	Finland	6	9	6	21
7	Austria	3	6	4	10
8	Czech Republic	3	0	2	5
9	Italy	1	4	2	7
10	Latvia	1	0	0	1
11	Early Modern France	0	1	1	2
12	Belgium	0	1	0	1
13	Hungary	0	0	1	1
	none declared	3	15	15	33