Remi Lindholm, a cross-country skier from Finland, had a tense race in the 50-kilometre mass start event at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Despite the fact that the race was cut to 30 kilometres, the situation did not improve for the Finn, whose sensitive body part frozen during the race.

Because race organisers were concerned about frostbite, the event was delayed by an hour and cut by 20 kilometres on Saturday, according to news agency Reuters, adding that the lightweight suits and underlayers competitors wore, as well as plasters to cover their mouths and ears, provided little protection.

Also Read | Kim Jong-un congratulates China on Winter Olympics, takes jibe at US

Remi Lindholm went directly to the changing room after the race and used a heat pack to defrost his penis.

“You can guess which body part was a little bit frozen when I finished (the men’s Olympic 50km race), it was one of the worst competitions I’ve been in. It was just about battling through,” he told the Finnish press.

Also Read | In pics | Beijing Winter Olympics end with hazmat suits in an empty airport

In a series of Instagram stories, Lindholm shared screenshots of user comments and memes about the incident. “Yes, the most startling sporting moment of the year,” according to an Instagram post posted by Lindholm.

The Beijing Winter Olympics, which had sports drama and historic moments but was marred by a Russian doping scandal, concluded yesterday with an upbeat closing ceremony.

Also Read | At Olympics, cybersecurity worries linger in background

The Games will be remembered not just for new stars like Eileen Gu, but also for the doping scandal that enveloped 15-year-old figure skater Kamila Valieva and for taking place inside a massive Covid-secure “bubble,” according to news agency AFP.

The “Bird’s Nest” stadium, which also played home to the 2008 Summer Olympics, was the setting for a joyous, snowflake-themed closing ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping and a socially divided throng sat among red lanterns.