Publications
Publications
- January 2025
- HBS Case Collection
A Winning Strategy (B): Innovation in Olympic Speed Skating
By: Rebecca Karp, Maria Roche, Maisie Wiltshire-Gordon and Tom Quinn
Abstract
This case describes the aftermath of decisions made by two innovators in the Olympic sport of speed skating: the U.S. Men’s team, which devised a new approach to the team pursuit event; and Nils van der Poel, a Swedish skater who created a new training plan that defied conventional wisdom. The U.S. Men’s Team decided to race with the new technique in competitions leading up to the 2022 Winter Olympics, which allowed other teams to imitate the technique; Norway and the Russian Olympic Committee both surpassed them on the medal stand. Van der Poel released a detailed account of his training plan after earning gold and setting world records in both his events.
Keywords
Sports; Disruptive Innovation; Innovation Strategy; Competitive Strategy; Competitive Advantage; Sports Industry; United States; Sweden; Netherlands; Norway
Citation
Karp, Rebecca, Maria Roche, Maisie Wiltshire-Gordon, and Tom Quinn. "A Winning Strategy (B): Innovation in Olympic Speed Skating." Harvard Business School Supplement 725-413, January 2025.