Bø was seeking to add to his individual medal haul at Beijing 2022, with the 28-year-old having already earned three gold and one bronze.

His golden Games continued despite receiving four shooting penalties during the event, with three coming on the standing sections.

Bø proved too strong for his rivals again, pulling away to clinch victory at the Zhangjiakou National Biathlon Centre in a time of 38min 14.4sec.

He enjoyed a cushion of 40.3 seconds to silver medallist Martin Ponsiluoma of Sweden, who had received two penalties during the event.

Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen secured bronze, with the Norwegian ending in a time of 39:26.9.

France’s Quentin Fillon Maillet finished the event in fourth place, missing out on securing a medal in all six events he contested at Beijing 2022.

Bø’s triumph saw Norway achieve a record gold medal haul at a Winter Olympics.

This improved on the 14 the nation and Germany earned at Pyeongchang 2018, as well as Canada at Vancouver 2010.

"My mind I thought, five medals in six races, four golds,” said Bø, who has now won five Olympic gold medals in his career.

"Also the 15th gold medal for Norway during this Olympic Games.

"No one has ever done that before, so big day for the nation as well.

"You cannot predict how the Olympic Games will be.

"My last years as a biathlete have been fantastic but it is the Games that matter and I'm really happy that I did my best biathlon in the Games, not only before and after.

"I am very relieved."

Justine Braisaz-Bouchet celebrated gold in the women’s 12.5km mass start event, bouncing back from placing 40^th in the 15km individual and 48^th in the 7.5km sprint.

Braisaz-Bouchet was forced to play catch up at the start of the event, after receiving three penalties during the first two shooting sections.

She gradually regained contact to the front of the race, before leading into the shooting range for the final time in the race.

Braisaz-Bouchet received one further penalty on the standing section, but remained clear to claim gold in 40:18.0.

Norway’s Tiril Eckhoff and Marte Olsbu Roiseland received the same number of penalties during the event, with the duo rounding off the podium.

Eckhoff finished 15.3 seconds behind the winner, while Roiseland was 34.9 seconds off the pace to take bronze.

The silver medal completed Eckhoff’s medal collection at the Games, having won mixed relay gold and 10km pursuit bronze.

Roiseland became the first woman to win five biathlon medals at the same Olympics, with her second bronze adding to three gold medals.