A surprise participant in Wednesday’s action at the Milan Cortina Olympics had four legs and zero concern for race times.

Equipment testers will sometimes ski dozens of miles a day to dial in the right combination of ski, wax and grind work.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo is officially 6-for-6: He's won gold in all six of his cross-country events at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Norway's 29-year-old Olympic legend entered rare air with one more signature kick on Saturday.

American cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins closed out her Olympic career with a grueling 50-kilometer race at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, leaving a legacy as the most decorated U.S. skier in the sport's history.

Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo arrived in the pantheon of Olympic greats for good on Saturday when he claimed a record sixth gold medal at one Winter Games with victory in the men's 50 kilometres cross country ski race.

Combining cross-country high speed skiing with a rifle didn't happen by chance. The history of the biathlon explained.

In this image taken from video provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services, OBS, a dog runs onto the track near the finish during the heats of the cross-country skiing women's team sprint free at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)

It is the newest, some would contend toughest, Winter Olympic sport but its origins actually date back longer than any other.