Naoto Baba of Japan was 24th in the Beijing Olympics skiing and cross-country men's 50km free.
The cross-country men's 50km free was held with the distance shortened to about 30km due to strong winds, and a 25-year-old Baba player from Japan participated.
The race was contested by 60 people, and Baba was behind the top group in the first half, but gradually started to lag behind and could not keep up with the group of strong top players after the middle stage.
Baba finished in 24th place with a time of 1 hour 14 minutes 52 seconds 7 which was 3 minutes 20 seconds behind the top.
The gold medal is Alexander Bolshunov of the Russian Olympic Committee, who set a time of 1 hour 11 minutes 32 seconds 7, and is the third gold medal of this tournament.
The silver medal was Ivan Yakimshkin of the Russian Olympic Committee, and the bronze medal was Simen of Norway his Hegstad Kruger.