Olympic champion Iivo Niskanen waits to congratulate last-placed skier in show of respect

As Iivo Niskanen crossed the finish line after 37 minutes and 54.8 seconds of gruelling racing across the 15km Zhangjiakou cross-country skiing course, he collapsed.

The Finnish skier would soon be crowned Winter Olympic champion in the event, as it became apparent his time would not be beaten.

The exhausted champion soon received his due adulation, however he wasn’t going anywhere.

Watch the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics on Channel 7 and stream it for free on 7plus >>

More than half an hour after Niskanen finished, Colombian Carlos Andres Quintana crossed the line.

As one of the last skiers to commence his run, due to the staggered start of the timed event, Quintana was also the last to finish as he clocked a time of 55 minutes and 41.9 seconds.

Almost 18 minutes slower than gold medallist Niskanen, Quintana placed last of the 95 competitors.

But in a powerful show of respect, Niskanen had waited for him to finish - while many other competitors left the venue - before embracing him to show his congratulations for completing the event.

“All athletes must respect each other,” said Niskanen of the moment.

“Everyone has worked hard to be here.

“You have to show this kind of respect at the Olympics towards countries that don’t have much budget to get the best results, unlike the best nations.”

Quintana, a 36-year-old who only started competitive cross country skiing three years ago, also spoke of the moment.

“Yes. It was a good moment there. And then the Norwegian also congratulated me (bronze medallist Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo),” he told AFP.

“It’s a consolation prize because I didn’t feel comfortable at all. From the start I didn’t feel well physically.

If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .

To find out