Alexander Bolshunov of ROC celebrates after winning Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km + 15km Skiathlon at National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
CHONGLI, China, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian Olympic Committee athlete Alexander Bolshunov won his first Olympic gold in the men's 30km cross-country skiathlon at Beijing 2022 on Sunday.
The skiathlon began with 15 kilometers of classic skiing, and switched to freestyle after the half-point.
His compatriot Denis Spitsov surpassed Finnish athlete Livo Niskanen in the second half to take his third Olympic silver medal in 1:17:20.8. Niskanen finished third in 1:18:10.0.
Alexander Bolshunov (C) of ROC, Denis Spitsov (L) of ROC and Iivo Niskanen of Finland celebrate after Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km + 15km Skiathlon at National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Alexander Bolshunov (rear) and Denis Spitsov of ROC celebrate after Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km + 15km Skiathlon at National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)
Alexander Bolshunov passes the finish line during Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km + 15km Skiathlon at National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)
Alexander Bolshunov of ROC reacts during Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km + 15km Skiathlon at National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Chan)
Alexander Bolshunov of ROC reacts during Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km + 15km Skiathlon at National Cross-Country Skiing Centre in Zhangjiakou, north China's Hebei Province, Feb. 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Deng Hua)
