Jessie Diggins makes history at the Winter Olympics. Her moment in photos.
Skier Jessie Diggins made history at the Winter Olympics in Beijing by becoming the first American woman to win an individual medal in cross-country skiing.
Diggins, 30, won a bronze medal Tuesday night in the women’s free sprint out of the 91 competitors who started the race.
Sweden's Maja Dahlqvist won the silver medal and Jonna Sundling took gold.
Diggins, back for her third Olympics, landed in sixth place four days ago at during the 15K race that was plagued by harsh weather conditions. Primed with experience and familiarity with the course led her to win another medal to add to her collection.
What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
Olympics Live: Dutch speedskater Nuis defends Olympic title
She is the most decorated American cross-country skier in world championship history and won Olympic gold in a team event at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018.
Diggins won the Tour de Ski in 2021 and became the first U.S. skier to take the title.
She had told Paste BN that giving it her all emotionally and physically would be enough for her.
"If I can do all those things, and cross that finish line and look back and go, 'That was it – that was my best effort, and that was everything I had,' then that will be success," Diggins said.
Here are photos of her historic win:
Contributing: Lori Nickel
Follow reporter Asha Gilbert @Coastalasha. Email: agilbert@usatoday.com.