Sweden’s Sixten Jernberg had been the most successful athlete at Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956, featuring on every single one of the men’s cross country podiums. As well as gold in the 50km, he had taken silvers in the 30km and 15km and bronze in the 4x10km relay.

Cortina 1956-JERNBERG Sixten (SWE) 2nd, at the finish.

Cortina 1956-JERNBERG Sixten (SWE) 1st, in front of the audience.

1956: Sixten Jernberg of Sweden in action at the 1956 Winter Games in Cortina d/Ampezzo. Jernberg is the supreme Nordic Skier, winner of a record nine Olympic Winter Games medals in three Games beginning with the Cortina d+Ampezzo Games in 1956. Mandatory Credit: IOC/Allsport

Charlotte Kalla has triumphed at each edition of the Winter Games in which she has competed – from winning gold in her very first race, the 10km freestyle at the Vancouver 2010 Games, to the first skiathlon event at PyeongChang 2018, via her victory in the 4x5km relay at Sochi 2014. She also shares the record for the number of Swedish medals won at the Games, with nine podium places. Here is an interview with a great champion, who still harbours many ambitions.

Sweden completed a successful defence of the men's Olympic 4x10km cross country title, with a dominant performance at the as Laura Cross Country Ski & Biathlon Centre. It capped a golden weekend for the country’s Nordic relay teams, after the Swedish women triumphed in the 4x5km a day earlier.