Russian Bolshunov wins men's cross-country skiing at Beijing 2022

Alexander Bolshunov (R) 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/Liu Chan)

CHONGLI, Zhangjiakou, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Russian Alexander Bolshunov added the Olympic gold medal to his world championship as he won the men's 15/15km skiathlon at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games here on Sunday.

Bolshunov, who won three silvers and one bronze at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, pocketed his first-ever Olympic gold medal, also the first for the ROC at Beijing 2022, by a time of one hour, 16 minutes and 9.8 seconds.

Denis Spitsov from ROC was 1:11 minutes slower to take the silver, 1:17:20.8, followed by Finland's Livo Niskanen, 1:18:10.0. 

Alexander Bolshunov (L) 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/Liu Chan)

Alexander Bolshunov (front) 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/Liu Chan)

Alexander Bolshunov of ROC 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/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/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/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/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)

Alexander Bolshunov of ROC competes 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)