Cross-country skiing has been a 
means of transportation for 
thousands of years in Scandinavia, 
but formal ski races were not held 
until the mid-1800s in Norway.  
Cross- country skiing was part of 
the very first Winter Olympics but 
women did not compete in cross 
country events until 1952.

Cross country skis are narrower 
and lighter than Alpine (downhill) 
skis and special bindings allow the 
heel to lift with each stride.  Poles, 
too, are longer and lighter than 
those used in downhill skiing.

There are currently six women's 
and six men's events in Nordic 
skiing, including a relay race, and 
for men only, a combined event 
featuring skiing and ski jumping.

Norwegians, Finns and Swedes 
dominated cross country events, 
winning every Gold, Silver and 
Bronze medal until 1956, when the 
Soviet Union joined the Games.  
The Soviet women in particular 
have been very strong.  The East 
Germans also had great success 
in the 1970s.  The U.S. has won 
only one medal in cross-country 
events, when William "Bill" Koch 
captured a Silver in 1976 at 
Innsbruck.  In both the 1992 and 
1994 Winter Olympics, the Italians 
made a very strong showing, 
breaking the Soviet (now Russian) 
and Scandinavian domination in 
these events.