Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla claimed the first gold of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in skiathlon cross country race ahead of Norway’s Marit Bjoergen who was set to win her third straight gold medal in the event. Though not a gold but with silver, Bjoergen became the most decorated woman in Winter Olympics history by claiming her 11th medal. Finland’s Krista Parmakoski clinched the bronze.
Hundreds of spectators cheered the women as they received their medals from, Thomas Bach, the President of International Olympic Association (IOC).
Lim Hyojun won the gold in men’s 1,500 m Short Track Speed Skating giving the host their first medal. Victorious in the fourth heat of the day, Hyojun then won his semi-final to claim a place in the nine-man final. In the final, he raced passed Sjinkie Knegt of the Netherlands, the world record holder at the distance. Knegt settled for a silver while Olympic Athlete from Russia Semen Elistratov won the bronze.
Carlijn Achtereekte led the Dutch team as the speed skaters from Netherlands swept the medals in the women’s 3000m. Achtereekte edged out defending champion Ireen Wust by 0.08 seconds to claim the gold, while Antoinette de Jong took the bronze. 31-year-old Wust, who is set to retire after this Games missed her fifth Olympic gold.
24-year-old German biathlete, Laura Dahlmeier shot a perfect 10 to claim gold in 7.5km Biathlon Sprint. Dahlmeier crossed the line ahead of Norway’s Marte Olsbu who claimed silver while Veronika Vitkova of Czech Republic won the bronze.
German Ski jumper, Andreas Wellinger, snatched victory in the men’s individual Normal Hill Ski Jumping to claim his second Olympic gold. He won a total of 259.3 points to claim gold while the Norwegians Johann Andre Forfang and Robert Johansson. won the silver and bronze respectively.
