To make it onto the Olympic programme, a sport first has to be recognised: it must be administered by an International Federation which ensures that the sport's activities follow the Olympic Charter. If it is widely practised around the world and meets a number of criteria established by the IOC session, a recognised sport may be added to the Olympic programme on the recommendation of the IOC's Olympic Programme Commission.
Andrus Veerparlu from Estonia won gold in the 15km individual under heavy snow.
When Giorgio Di Centa won the 50km cross-country skiing gold at the Turin 2006 Games, his sister Manuela Di Centa, a seven-time Olympic medallist herself, presented his medal.