a total quota of 180 athletes were allowed to compete at the games (maximum 100 men and 80 women). countries were assigned quotas based on the results of the entire 2017–18 isu speed skating world cup in the autumn of 2017. each nation was permitted to enter a maximum of three athletes per gender for all events apart from the 5000m, 10,000m and mass start events, for which they could enter a maximum of two athletes per event.