cross country skiing 1

Ski clubs popped up all over Europe, often with expatriate Norwegians serving as organizers and club mentors.

In 1936, a 4x10km mixed relay (2 classical and 2 freestyle legs) was added.

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Until the Congress was superseded by the Federation Internationale du Ski (FIS) in 1924, there was always at least one Norwegian at its helm.

Several things have remained consistent over the years, most notably the continued dominance of Scandinavian skiers, with Soviet and Russian skiers emerging as a force by the 1960s.

Cross-country skiing evolved from being a military necessity to a healthy, sociable sport.

Today's annual Birkebeiner races, or loppets, commemorate this event - in Norway, competitors wear backpacks weighing 5.5 kilograms to simulate the weight of the little prince.

When the Norwegian ski troops were disbanded in 1826, local civilian ski clubs picked up the slack and took over organizing races and events.

Among their more eccentric concerns was the character of the competitors: according to tradition, the ideal cross-country skier had to be not only physically fit, but also morally upright.

Until the Congress was superseded by the Federation Internationale du Ski (FIS) in 1924, there was always at least one Norwegian at its helm.

In Canada, Quebec is the cradle of cross-country skiing, where it surfaced around 1879.

Several things have remained consistent over the years, most notably the continued dominance of Scandinavian skiers, with Soviet and Russian skiers emerging as a force by the 1960s.

Until the Congress was superseded by the Federation Internationale du Ski (FIS) in 1924, there was always at least one Norwegian at its helm.

Other notable Canadian skiers include Pierre Harvey, who won three World Cup gold medals between 1988 and 1989; four-time Olympian Angela Schmidt-Foster; and twins Sharon and Shirley Firth, who represented Canada in four consecutive Winter Olympics from 1972 to 1984.

Mandarin rnrn Russian rnrn Arabic rnrn Spanish rnrn The most famous cross-country skiing legend dates back to 1206 A.D. and involves a bitter civil war between the Birkebeiner and Bagler clans.

With eight gold medals in three Olympics from 1992 to 1998, and twelve medals in total, the recently retired Bjorn Daehlie of Norway is the most successful Winter Olympian of all time.

The pair tested positive for darbepoetin, a performance enhancing drug, therefore stripping them of their medals and bumping Canada' Beckie Scott from third to first place.

But while the Norwegians were delighted that skiing was becoming so popular, they worried they were losing control of their national sport.

He later published a book about the expedition that sparked an enormous interest in skiing among Europe's leisured classes.

Born in Norway in 1875, the Jackrabbit emigrated to Quebec in 1928 and set about making skiing part of the local culture.

But after only a couple of days of travel, a fierce snowstorm halted the mission.

Quebec was also the adopted home of Herman (Jackrabbit) Johannsen, who founded the Canadian cross-country skiing movement.

In Canada, Quebec is the cradle of cross-country skiing, where it surfaced around 1879.

Mandarin rnrn Russian rnrn Arabic rnrn Spanish rnrn The most famous cross-country skiing legend dates back to 1206 A.D. and involves a bitter civil war between the Birkebeiner and Bagler clans.

They strapped on their skis and carried the baby the remaining 55 kilometres through the blizzard to safety.

But while the Norwegians were delighted that skiing was becoming so popular, they worried they were losing control of their national sport.

Among their more eccentric concerns was the character of the competitors: according to tradition, the ideal cross-country skier had to be not only physically fit, but also morally upright.