A few Olympic records wait to be rewritten in Sochi Winter Olympics speed skating when men's 1,000 meters starts on Wednesday.

Defending champion Shani Davis of the United States will look to become the first male speed skater to win an individual event at more than two Winter Olympics.

He clinched the 1,000m title in 2006 and 2010 Games.

Davis is facing challenge from the Dutch who have been in stunning form with podium sweeps in men's 500m and 5,000m and bagged the women's 3,000 title in the first three days of competition.

Newly crowned 500m winner Michel Mulder entered the event, aiming to join legendary Eric Heiden as the only male skaters to win the 500m and 1,000m at the same Olympic Winter Games.

Mulder's coach coach Gerard van Velde won in the 1,000m at the Salt Lake City 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Stefan Groothuis, also from the Netherlands, fell at the start of the men's 500m race 2 on Monday. He decided to put the mistake behind and focus on the 1,000m.

"It doesn't bother me any longer, I can't do anything about it. I did not lose sleep over it." he said. "But it's done, it's behind me. I'm looking forward to the 1,000m."

Groothuis believes he has a real chance for the 1,000m gold although there are a few strong contenders.

"When I'm good, gold is a real possibility, but there are many favorites. Of course, Shani is good, but I could name four or five more who are capable of winning gold." he said.

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