Cross-country skier Denis Spitsov claimed silver for the Russian Olympic Committee in the men’s 30 kilometres skiathlon at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Spitsov finished behind compatriot Alexander Bolshunov who triumphed by more than a minute in the event, contested at the Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre.

He ended 50 seconds clear of the bronze medal position, and was grateful for that gap as he slipped in the latter stages of the race, but quickly regained his footing and secured second place, before celebrating with Bolshunov.

Spitsov completed the gruelling race in 1hr 17min 20.8secs, with his silver in Beijing adding to the three he won in Pyeongchang in 2018.

Denis Spitsov, right, embraces compatriot Alexander Bolshunov after the pair finished second and first respectively in the men's 30 kilometres skiathlon at Beijing 2022 ©Getty Images
Denis Spitsov, right, embraces compatriot Alexander Bolshunov after the pair finished second and first respectively in the men's 30 kilometres skiathlon at Beijing 2022 ©Getty Images

In Pyeongchang, Spitsov won silvers in the 4x10 kilometres relay and team sprint, while he also earned bronze in the 15 kilometres freestyle.

He also finished fourth in the men’s 30 kilometres skiathlon event at Pyeongchang.

Spitsov came into Beijing 2022 in good form after winning his first individual World Cup event during the Tour de Ski at Val di Fiemme in Italy last month, when he triumphed in the men’s 10 kilometres mass start discipline.

Spitsov took up cross-country skiing in 2006 at a youth sports school in Vozhega, after deciding he preferred winter sports to football.