Starting in 1996, this originally was an annual event, but in 1998 it became clear that having World Single Distance Championships and the Single Distance Championships as held at the Winter Olympics during the same year was too much, so since 1999, the World Single Distance Championships are no longer held in (Winter) Olympic years. In 2020 it became clear that having three different World Speed Skating Championships (Allround Championships, Sprint Championships and Single Distances Championships) within each non-Olympic year is difficult as well, so starting since 2021, the World Single Distance Championships are held only in an odd years.