The men's team was able to open a medal score in cross-country skiing. The silver medal received in the relay became the first for the Russian team at the Sochi Olympics.
The main hopes for medals, even before the start of the Olympic Games in Sochi, were associated mainly with victories in cross-country skiing. However, after a whole week of competition, not a single medal in personal races was received. The fans were even more disappointed, and after the failure of the women's team in the relay, the athletes were able to become only sixth. Although at the previous six Olympics, they always received gold.
The men's team has never climbed to the podium in this type of competition after the collapse of the Soviet Union. But the ski track in Sochi became successful for Russian skiers, and they were able to become silver medalists of the Olympic Games.
The relay was held in four stages of 10 kilometers. At the first stage, Dmitry Yaparov ran with a classic move, who did not start very successfully and was able to pass the baton to Alexander Bessmertnykh only eighth. Alexander at his stage first played a few seconds, but in the end he lost more than 40 seconds.
The third stage was a turning point for the Russian national team - Alexander Legkov, who was able to play with a classic move enough time for the team to rise to second place. The relay was completed by Maxim Vylegzhanin, who was able to hold this position until the finish line. Unfortunately, he could not catch up with the Swedish team, as the gap in half a minute was too big. The third place in the men's ski relay went to the French team.
