Marcus Hellner, the defending Olympic champion from Sweden, finished second, and Martin Johnsrud Sundby from Norway came third.

Sundby finished third closely ahead of Vylegzhanin, and the Russian delegation filed a protest because he apparently changed the track in the finish area, impeding Vylegzhanin.

[3] An athlete with a maximum of 100 FIS distance points (the A standard) will be allowed to compete in both or one of the event (sprint/distance).

NOC's who do not have any athlete meeting the A standard can enter one competitor of each sex (known as the basic quota) in only 10 km classical event for women or 15 km classical event for men.

They must have a maximum of 300 FIS distance points at the end of qualifying on 20 January 2014.