There are hundred of millions of basketball players around the world... That's a very flawed comparison to make IMO (it also only gives two gold medals).
Besides, what's a competitive nation ? Is France one ? We don't have a speed skating rink, no amateur skaters, no dedicated federation, not even a comite somewhere and yet Alexis Contin is a mass start silver medallist.
I don't see here a "nations actively compete", but a sole skater actively compete on his own. Having a bunch of posterboys from all around the world hardly makes for an interntional competitive sport in my mind.
There are what ? Five, six nations with a dedicated homegrown program for speed skating ? Even for winter sports, that's on the lower side.
PS: I don't want speedskating out or anything, but there is no need to exagerate its international nature by cherrypecking a couple of races here and there.