Norwegian cross-country skier Marit Bjørgen was the undisputed queen of Vancouver, winning five medals, three of them gold – more than any other athlete at the 2010 Winter Games. Bjørgen had won silver medals in both 2002 and 2006, but it was in Vancouver that she emerged as a true cross-country great.

Sweden’s Marcus Hellner emerged as Petter Northug’s fiercest rival in the cross-country events.

Dario Cologna’s gold at the 15km freestyle cross country event at Vancouver 2010 was the first-ever Winter Games gold for Switzerland in cross country skiing event.

Petter Northug had long been heralded as cross country skiing’s next big star, with sponsors fighting for his signature right from his junior days.

In the years since the 1992 Games, Norway’s Bjørn Dæhlie has been recognised as winter sports legend. But these were the Olympics where he first burst on to the biggest international stage, and announced himself to the wider world.