Biathlete Emil Hegle Svendsen’s premature celebration nearly cost Olympic gold

Norwegian biathlete Emil Hegle Svendsen almost learned the perils of premature celebration in the worst possible way: A few feet before the finish line for the 15-kilometer biathlon, the Olympian victoriously raised his hands… And was nearly passed by France’s Martin Fourcade.

Both men completed the race with times of 42:29:1. The photo finish showed Svenden’s boot barely crossed the finish line before Fourcade’s — meaning he got to keep the gold he began celebrating at 14.999 kilometers.

In Svenden’s defense, snow limited visibility during the race. It’s possible he didn’t know Fourcade was so close. Then again, this is the Olympics. If you don’t try all the way though the finish, one of the competitors certainly will.

Fortunately for silver-medalist Fourcade, he’s already leaving Sochi with two gold medals for the individual and pursuit biathlons.