A spontaneous show of sportsmanship and courage at the back of the field managed to rival the momentous achievement of a fourth gold medal for Switzerland’s Dario Cologna in the men’s 15km free cross country race at the Olympic Winter Games.

The men's individual competition was held at the Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on 16 February 2018.

Men's snow events dominate the programme today, with Alpine skiing's giant slalom, biathlon's 15km mass start, freestyle skiing’s slopestyle and aerials, and the cross-country skiing relay. The only women’s medal event is the high-octane 500m speed skating.

Dario Cologna of Switzerland competes during the Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, Republic of Korea.

Dario Cologna of Switzerland competes during the Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, Republic of Korea.

Phillip Bellingham of Australia competes during the Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, Republic of Korea.

Denis Spitsov of Olympic Athlete from Russia competes during the Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, Republic of Korea.

Sivler medal winner Simen Hegstad Krueger of Norway, gold medal winner Dario Cologna of Switzerland and bronze medal winner Denis Spitsov of Olympic Athlete from Russia celebrate during the victory ceremony for Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, Republic of Korea.

Sivler medal winner Simen Hegstad Krueger of Norway, gold medal winner Dario Cologna of Switzerland and bronze medal winner Denis Spitsov of Olympic Athlete from Russia celebrate during the victory ceremony for Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, Republic of Korea.