Italian wins first gold at Winter Olympics

Stefania Belmondo from Italy won the first gold of the Winter Olympics in the women's 15km freestyle cross-country in Salt Lake City.

Spain's Johann Muehlegg won gold in the men's 30km freestyle cross-country skiing while Jochem Uytdehaage of the Netherlands claimed the gold in the men's 5,000m speedskating event and broke the world record in the process.

Irish interest in the games focuses on Paul Schwarzacher who takes part in the men's downhill discipline later today.