Aiming to deliver peak performance

Cross-country skiing, the rugged grandfather of snow competition, will give its brightest stars a defining stage at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.

Sporting greats such as Jessie Diggins of the United States and Italy's own Federico Pellegrino arrive at the Feb 6–22 Games still in form, but nearing the end of their careers.

A cornerstone winter event, cross-country skiing traces its roots to centuries-old Nordic traditions and is considered one of the purest tests of endurance.

The biggest change the sport will see at these Olympics is the equalization of race distances for men and women — extending the women's longest event from 30 kilometers to 50. Twelve competitions are split evenly between genders, with distances ranging from the 1,585-meter sprint to the grueling 50 km race.

The sport features two primary techniques: the classic style, with skiers racing on parallel tracks, and the faster freestyle skating method. The demanding skiathlon blends both styles over a 20 km course, with athletes switching skis mid-race.

Norway has long dominated cross-country skiing, and its powerhouse team is once again led by Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo — already a legend at 29. The five-time Olympic champion, renowned for explosive climbs and all-around versatility, arrives in Italy chasing more medals.

On the women's side, Diggins remains a standout as the most decorated US cross-country skier in history.

This will be her final competitive season.

Pellegrino — who will be one of Italy's four flag bearers at the opening ceremony — is also in his final season. The 35-year-old world champion sprinter is seeking a long-awaited Olympic gold after silver-medal finishes at the past two Games.

Sweden's Jonna Sundling is the one to beat in the women's individual sprint, having won three consecutive world titles in the discipline, as well as Olympic gold in 2022.