She retired after becoming the most decorated winter Olympian ever at PyeongChang 2018, but there was a time when cross-country skier Marit Bjoergen had to face the agony of repeated failure on the world’s biggest sporting stage. Looking back, the Norwegian is grateful for the tough times.

Norway’s cross-country skiers enjoyed a phenomenal return in the men’s events at PyeongChang 2018, not least thanks to a dazzling debut Games of Johannes Høsflot Klaebo, who won three gold medals. There were also two golds apiece for his compatriots Simen Hegstad Krueger and Martin Johnsrud Sundby, who helped secured a Norwegian podium sweep in the skiathlon along with Hans Crister Holund. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Dario Cologna made his own mark with a third successive victory in the 15km, while Iivo Niskanen of Finland took gold in the 50km classic mass start.

The undisputed star of the women’s cross-country events – and indeed PyeongChang 2018 – was Marit Bjørgen who claimed medals in five events to take her overall tally to 15, more than any other Winter Olympian in history. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla and compatriot Stina Nilsson both made it onto the podium four times, including in the team sprint, where Jessica Diggins and Kikkan Randall made history by becoming the first US women to win a cross-country gold.

The XXIII Olympic Winter Games produced no shortage of sporting heroes, from seasoned athletes who wrote their names in Olympic history with amazing feats and multiple medals to newcomers who announced themselves to the world with their stunning performances.

On 21 February 2018, Norway's Marit Bjoergen cemented her place in the Pantheon of the greatest Winter Olympians. Her bronze in the women’s cross-country team sprint took her medals total to 14 (seven of them gold), surpassing the previous benchmark set by her compatriot, biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. She still needs one win to match his tally of eight golds.

A magnificent second lap by Norway’s Ragnhild Haga propelled her to gold in the women's cross country 10km freestyle race at Pyeongchang 2018 on Thursday 16 February.

A total of six golds will be contested on day three in PyeongChang: in snowboard, cross-country skiing, speed skating, luge, freestyle skiing and biathlon.

The first gold medal of PyeongChang 2018 will be awarded in the women’s cross-country skiathlon, an event that Norway’s Marit Bjørgen is aiming to win for the third time running. There are also golds to be claimed in short track speed skating, speed skating, biathlon and ski jumping.

Cross-country is an event dominated by Scandinavians, but Canada’s Alex Harvey, twice a world champion, is hoping to break their domination of the Olympic podium this time around. To become the best, a mastery of technique and ski waxing must be twinned with extraordinary athleticism in one of the most physically demanding sports around.

A record total of 102 gold medals will be awarded in 15 disciplines on snow and ice at PyeongChang. Here is our day-by-day preview of what you can look forward to.