Bjoergen Wins Women's Cross-Country in Yet Another Norwegian Podium Sweep

By RIA Novosti

Feb. 22, 2014

From left to right: Therese Johaug (silver), Marit Bjoergen (gold) and Kristin Stormer Steira (bronze). Konstantin Chalabov

Marit Bjoergen took a record sixth Olympic gold medal as Norway swept the podium in the women's 30-kilometer freestyle cross-country skiing race in Sochi on Saturday.

Bjoergen's medal haul now matches the Winter Olympic women's gold medal record, held by cross-country skier Lyubov Egorova and speed skater Lidia Skoblikova who have six medals each.

It is Bjoergen's third gold at the Sochi Olympics after the women's skiathlon and team sprint.

The silver medal went to Therese Johaug, who lost to Bjoergen in a sprint for the finish line, with Kristin Stormer Steira's bronze medal completing the Norwegian podium sweep.

Defending champion Jusztyna Kowalczyk of Poland pulled out midway through the race after appearing to struggle with a foot injury she had incurred earlier in the Games.

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