There was a welcome addition to the end of Wednesday’s Olympic women’s cross-country skiing team sprint free race, when a dog joined some of the athletes for the final sprint to the line.

A husky with lots of enthusiasm but no credentials gatecrashed a women's team sprint cross-country race on Wednesday, giving an impromptu performance that had spectators howling with delight.

The animal ran alongside competitors as teams wrapped up their qualifying heats, prompting laughter and cheers from the crowd.