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Why do speedskaters hold their hands behind their backs?

  • Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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    Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

    Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
    REUTERS
  • Bart Swings of Belgium competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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    Bart Swings of Belgium competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

    Bart Swings of Belgium competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
    REUTERS
  • Havard Bokko of Norway competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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    Havard Bokko of Norway competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

    Havard Bokko of Norway competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
    REUTERS
  • Patrick Meek of the U.S. skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Issei Kato (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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    Patrick Meek of the U.S. skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

    Patrick Meek of the U.S. skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Issei Kato (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
    REUTERS
  • Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 metres speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (RUSSIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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    Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 metres speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

    Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 metres speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (RUSSIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
    REUTERS
  • Russia's Denis Yuskov skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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    Russia's Denis Yuskov skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics

    Russia's Denis Yuskov skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
    REUTERS
Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Laszlo Balogh (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
Bart Swings of Belgium competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
Havard Bokko of Norway competes in the men's 5000 meters speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
Patrick Meek of the U.S. skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Issei Kato (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
Sven Kramer of the Netherlands competes in the men's 5000 metres speed skating race during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (RUSSIA - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
Russia's Denis Yuskov skates during the men's 5,000m speed skating race at the Adler Arena during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics February 8, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (RUSSIA - Tags: OLYMPICS SPORT SPEED SKATING)
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Why do speedskaters hold their hands behind their backs?