Left to right: Silver medalist Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin, gold medalist Russia's Alexander Legkov and Bronze medalist Russia's Ilia Chernousov celebrate on the podium during the Men's Cross-Country Skiing 50km Mass Start Free Flower Ceremony at the Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Center during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 23, 2014, in Rosa Khuto, near Sochi. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI
Left to right: Silver medalist Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin, gold medalist Russia's Alexander Legkov and Bronze medalist Russia's Ilia Chernousov celebrate on the podium during the Men's Cross-Country Skiing 50km Mass Start Free Flower Ceremony at the Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Center during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 23, 2014, in Rosa Khuto, near Sochi. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI
Left to right: Silver medalist Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin, gold medalist Russia's Alexander Legkov and Bronze medalist Russia's Ilia Chernousov celebrate on the podium during the Men's Cross-Country Skiing 50km Mass Start Free Flower Ceremony at the Laura Cross-Country Ski and Biathlon Center during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 23, 2014, in Rosa Khuto, near Sochi. AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI
Left to right: Silver medalist Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin, gold medalist Russia's Alexander Legkov and Bronze medalist Russia's Ilia Chernousov celebrate on the podium during the Men's Cross-Country S

Sport

Russia clinch overall medals title at Winter Olympics

Host country scored a stunning clean sweep of the podium in the men’s 50km cross country race on Sunday, leaving Russia certain to top the medals table at the Sochi Olympics.

Agence France Presse

February 23, 2014

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Alexander Legkov’s victory in the men’s 50-kilometer cross-country race Sunday clinched the overall medals title for the host nation at the Sochi Games.

Legkov led a sweep of the podium for Russia in the 50K. Russia started the day tied with Norway for the most gold medals with 11 and with a 29-27 lead over the United States in total medals.

With only three events on the final day of competition – cross-country, four-man bobsled and the men’s hockey gold medal game – the Russians didn’t waste any time in sealing the deal.

Norway figured to challenge the Russians in cross-country, but Martin Johnsrud Sundby finished fourth while Russians Maxim Vylegzhanin and Ilia Chernousov took silver and bronze.

The three skiers had a wild celebration at the finish line.

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