Jessie Diggins was on a quest to make history but fell heartbreakingly short of reaching the podium in the women's 10-kilometer cross-country skiing event.
Looking to become the first American woman to medal in cross-country skiing, Diggins finished in fifth place, less than four seconds out of medal contention.
Rgnhild Haga of Norway took gold, with a time of 25:00.5, and Sweden's Charlotte Kalla finished 20.3 seconds behind her to claim silver. Norway's Marit Bjorgen and Finland's Krista Parmakoski tied for bronze - leaving Diggins, who finished just 3.3 seconds behind them - so close, yet so far from making history.
Having won silver in the same race during the 2015 World Championships, Diggins was Team USA's best hope to end the 42-year medal drought. Thursday's event marked her third top-six finish at the Olympics.
Diggins will have three more chances to reach the podium: in the women's 4x5-kilometer relay, the men's and women's team sprint, and the women's 30-kilometer mass start event.
