Norway's Therese Johaug put on a staggering late burst to snatch the gold medal in the 10 km classic race at the Beijing Games on Thursday to win by four-tenths of a second from Finland's Kerttu Niskanen.

Krista Parmakoski took the bronze medal, 31.1 seconds behind her Finnish teammate, but she never threatened the top two as Johaug secured her second individual gold medal of the Games in thrilling fashion.

"I felt I had the necessary power in the final stretch. I felt good. This was fun," she said.

"I was portioning out my efforts. If you give too much towards the top of the hill, it can hurt you in the last few kilometres. I wanted to keep my power for the final stretch. I felt good at the end."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beijing-olympics-posts-on-athletes-abuse-deleted-from-chinese-social-media-platforms-452023">Beijing Olympics: Posts on athletes abuse deleted from Chinese social media platforms</a>

The raw, biting cold of Saturday`s skiathlon was replaced by blazing sunshine and temperatures just below freezing, but a strong headwind at the start line reminded racers that the task ahead of them would not be an easy one.

Johaug built up a lead of 11.8 seconds over the first 1.8 km, but she was quickly reeled in by Parmakoski and Niskanen with Tatiana Sorina representing the Russian Olympic Committee also in the mix.

Johaug dropped behind but quickly got herself back neck and neck with Niskanen as the pair crossed the 3.6 km marker in&nbsp;exactly the same time of 10:47.7.

Known for her concise classical technique, Niskanen made her break at the midway point of the race and looked to have built up a comfortable lead of 11 seconds at the 6.3 km mark, but if she thought Johaug was out of contention, she was sorely mistaken.

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The Norwegian blasted past sprint bronze medallist Jessie Diggins despite starting a minute behind her as she thundered up a late climb, and knowing victory was within her reach Johaug left nothing to chance.

She barrelled around the rest of the course, poling powerfully up the final straight in an incredible display of stamina to throw down the gauntlet to Niskanen.

Though the Finn dug deep, she could not match the intensity of the 33-year-old Norwegian and Niskanen collapsed after crossing the line a mere 0.4 seconds behind the winner.

Norway's Therese Johaug put on a staggering late burst to snatch the gold medal in the 10 km classic race at the Beijing Games on Thursday to win by four-tenths of a second from Finland's Kerttu Niskanen.

Norway's Therese Johaug put on a staggering late burst to snatch the gold medal in the 10 km classic race at the Beijing Games on Thursday to win by four-tenths of a second from Finland's Kerttu Niskanen. Krista Parmakoski took the bronze medal, 31.1 seconds behind her Finnish teammate, but she never threatened the top two as Johaug secured her second individual gold medal of the Games in thrilling fashion. "I felt I had the necessary power in the final stretch. I felt good. This was fun," she said. "I was portioning out my efforts. If you give too much towards the top of the hill, it can hurt you in the last few kilometres. I wanted to keep my power for the final stretch. I felt good at the end." ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics: Posts on athletes abuse deleted from Chinese social media platforms The raw, biting cold of Saturday`s skiathlon was replaced by blazing sunshine and temperatures just below freezing, but a strong headwind at the start line reminded racers that the task ahead of them would not be an easy one. Johaug built up a lead of 11.8 seconds over the first 1.8 km, but she was quickly reeled in by Parmakoski and Niskanen with Tatiana Sorina representing the Russian Olympic Committee also in the mix. Johaug dropped behind but quickly got herself back neck and neck with Niskanen as the pair crossed the 3.6 km marker in exactly the same time of 10:47.7. Known for her concise classical technique, Niskanen made her break at the midway point of the race and looked to have built up a comfortable lead of 11 seconds at the 6.3 km mark, but if she thought Johaug was out of contention, she was sorely mistaken. ALSO READ: Beijing Olympics 2022: Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva at practice after reports of failed drug test The Norwegian blasted past sprint bronze medallist Jessie Diggins despite starting a minute behind her as she thundered up a late climb, and knowing victory was within her reach Johaug left nothing to chance. She barrelled around the rest of the course, poling powerfully up the final straight in an incredible display of stamina to throw down the gauntlet to Niskanen. Though the Finn dug deep, she could not match the intensity of the 33-year-old Norwegian and Niskanen collapsed after crossing the line a mere 0.4 seconds behind the winner.

Beijing Games: Norway skier Therese Johaug wins gold in 10 km cross-country classic

Norway nabbed the first gold medal of the Winter Games on Saturday as the politics dominating the Beijing Olympics began to make room for the snowy feats of the world`s best athletes. Norwegian Therese Johaug&nbsp;powered to victory to take the gold medal in the women`s skiathlon race, well ahead of Russian Natalia Nepryaeva and Austria`s Teresa Stadlober, who snagged the bronze medal.

Further back in 43rd place was Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a 20-year-old cross-country skier whose role as a final torchbearer for China in the opening ceremony continued to make waves.

The selection of Yilamujiang nL8N2UG08W, from Altay in China`s western Xinjiang region, as one of two final torchbearers came as many western nations diplomatically boycotted the Games over China`s treatment of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minority groups. China rejects allegations of human rights abuses.

The International Olympic Committee on Saturday insisted Yilamujiang`s ethnicity had nothing to do with her selection. 
"She has every right, wherever she comes from, whatever her background, to compete... and to take part in any ceremony," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams.

Chinese president Xi Jinping, who triumphantly opened the Games on Friday night in a partially-filled Bird`s Nest stadium, continued his diplomatic push on the Games` sidelines.

The day after forming a groundbreaking alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin against the West, Xi met with leaders of Serbia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan ahead of a Lunar New Year-themed banquet at Beijing`s Great Hall of the People.

Toasting his fellow leaders, Xi expressed "heartfelt thanks to all governments, peoples and international organisations who care about and support the Beijing Winter Olympics."

It was unclear if Putin had attended the lunch, or if he would watch any competition before leaving Beijing. Women hockey players from the Russian Olympic Committee were due to play the United States later on Saturday night.

In a stunning collision of sports and politics not seen since the Cold War era, Xi and Putin on Friday declared a no-limit partnership on the sidelines of the Games, backing each other over Ukraine and Taiwan and inking new deals on energy and trade.

Taiwan condemned the `contemptible` timing of the partnership, while the United States said Xi had wasted an opportunity to take action on Ukraine.

Beijing`s slopes were not without their own controversy. Switzerland`s Marco Odermatt hit out at Olympic ski organisers after Saturday`s downhill training was cancelled with just three runners having completed the course.

The number of cases of COVID-19 cases inside the Games bubble hit the second-highest since arrivals began after 45 new cases were detected on Feb. 4. Organisers said the situation was under control and cases were confined to a `closed loop`.

The 2022 Winter Games are being held in Beijing in extraordinary circumstances with metal fences, robot bartenders, workers in hazmat suits and strict mask policies meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus. At least one athlete said he was determined to make the most of it.

American snowboarder Shaun White, who became the face of the sport, winning three gold medals, said on Saturday the Beijing Olympics would be his last snowboarding competition and that he would retire from all contests. White, 35, said he was "enjoying every moment" of his final Olympics in Beijing.

White said he had decided to retire recently, during a quiet moment when he got lost and had to take a chair-lift over an empty mountain by himself.

"I was watching ... the sun go down and it just hit me," he said.

"It was very sad and a surreal moment but really joyous as well," said White, adding that he "broke down" a little before calling his friends and family to tell them of his decision.

Norway nabbed the first gold medal of the Winter Games on Saturday as the politics dominating the Beijing Olympics began to make room for the snowy feats of the world`s best athletes.

Norway nabbed the first gold medal of the Winter Games on Saturday as the politics dominating the Beijing Olympics began to make room for the snowy feats of the world`s best athletes. Norwegian Therese Johaug powered to victory to take the gold medal in the women`s skiathlon race, well ahead of Russian Natalia Nepryaeva and Austria`s Teresa Stadlober, who snagged the bronze medal. Further back in 43rd place was Dinigeer Yilamujiang, a 20-year-old cross-country skier whose role as a final torchbearer for China in the opening ceremony continued to make waves. The selection of Yilamujiang nL8N2UG08W, from Altay in China`s western Xinjiang region, as one of two final torchbearers came as many western nations diplomatically boycotted the Games over China`s treatment of Uyghurs and members of other Muslim minority groups. China rejects allegations of human rights abuses. The International Olympic Committee on Saturday insisted Yilamujiang`s ethnicity had nothing to do with her selection. "She has every right, wherever she comes from, whatever her background, to compete... and to take part in any ceremony," said IOC spokesman Mark Adams. Chinese president Xi Jinping, who triumphantly opened the Games on Friday night in a partially-filled Bird`s Nest stadium, continued his diplomatic push on the Games` sidelines. The day after forming a groundbreaking alliance with Russian President Vladimir Putin against the West, Xi met with leaders of Serbia, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan ahead of a Lunar New Year-themed banquet at Beijing`s Great Hall of the People. Toasting his fellow leaders, Xi expressed "heartfelt thanks to all governments, peoples and international organisations who care about and support the Beijing Winter Olympics." It was unclear if Putin had attended the lunch, or if he would watch any competition before leaving Beijing. Women hockey players from the Russian Olympic Committee were due to play the United States later on Saturday night. In a stunning collision of sports and politics not seen since the Cold War era, Xi and Putin on Friday declared a no-limit partnership on the sidelines of the Games, backing each other over Ukraine and Taiwan and inking new deals on energy and trade. Taiwan condemned the `contemptible` timing of the partnership, while the United States said Xi had wasted an opportunity to take action on Ukraine. Beijing`s slopes were not without their own controversy. Switzerland`s Marco Odermatt hit out at Olympic ski organisers after Saturday`s downhill training was cancelled with just three runners having completed the course. The number of cases of COVID-19 cases inside the Games bubble hit the second-highest since arrivals began after 45 new cases were detected on Feb. 4. Organisers said the situation was under control and cases were confined to a `closed loop`. The 2022 Winter Games are being held in Beijing in extraordinary circumstances with metal fences, robot bartenders, workers in hazmat suits and strict mask policies meant to prevent the spread of coronavirus. At least one athlete said he was determined to make the most of it. American snowboarder Shaun White, who became the face of the sport, winning three gold medals, said on Saturday the Beijing Olympics would be his last snowboarding competition and that he would retire from all contests. White, 35, said he was "enjoying every moment" of his final Olympics in Beijing. White said he had decided to retire recently, during a quiet moment when he got lost and had to take a chair-lift over an empty mountain by himself. "I was watching ... the sun go down and it just hit me," he said. "It was very sad and a surreal moment but really joyous as well," said White, adding that he "broke down" a little before calling his friends and family to tell them of his decision.

Norway's Therese Johaug bags first gold medal at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

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Beijing Games: Norway skier Therese Johaug wins gold in 10 km cross-country classic

Norway's Therese Johaug bags first gold medal at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022