Speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics – Men's 1500 metres Speed skating at the 2002 Winter Olympics – Men's 1500 metres The men's 1500 m speed skating competition for the 2002 Winter Olympics was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. In reverse order of the 5000 metres, Jochem Uytdehaage first broke the world record, only to see it bettered by Derek Parra, who won the third US skating gold of the Games. He was the first Mexican-American to medal in a winter sport. Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows. The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition.
Winter Olympic Games a full-time basis. Nevertheless, the IOC held to the traditional rules regarding amateurism until the '90s. The Cold War created tensions amongst countries allied to the two superpowers. The strained relationship between East and West Germany created a difficult political situation for the IOC. Because of its role in World War II, Germany was not allowed to compete at the 1948 Winter Olympics. In 1950 the IOC recognised the West German Olympic Committee, and invited East and West Germany to compete as a unified team at the 1952 Winter Games. East Germany declined the invitation and instead sought international legitimacy