Mongolia at the 2006 Winter Olympics

The Mongolian National Olympic Committee was recognized by the International Olympic Committee on 1 January 1962,[1] and the nation entered Olympic competition soon after, talking part in both the 1964 Winter and Summer Olympics. Mongolia has only missed two Olympic Games since, the 1976 Winter Olympics; and the 1984 Summer Olympics as the Mongolians joined in the Soviet-led boycott of the Games in Los Angeles.[2][3] The delegation Mongolia sent to Turin consisted of two cross-country skiers, Erdene-Ochiryn Ochirsüren and Khürelbaataryn Khash-Erdene.[4] Khash-Erdene was the flag bearer for the opening ceremony[5] while Ochirsüren was chosen to carry the flag for the closing ceremony.[6]

Khürelbaataryn Khash-Erdene was 22 years old at the time of the Turin Olympics.[7] In the men's 15 kilometre classical race, held on 17 February, he finished with a time of 48 minutes and 47 seconds, which put him in 84th place out of 96 competitors who finished the race; the gold medal was won by Andrus Veerpalu of Estonia in 38 minutes and 1 second.[8] He would later go on to represent Mongolia at the 2010 Winter Olympics.[7]

Erdene-Ochiryn Ochirsüren was 20 years of age at the time of these Games.[9] She competed in the women's 10 kilometer classical, held on 16 February.[10] She finished the race with a time of 36 minutes and 40.1 seconds, which saw her in 68th position out of 70 competitors who finished the race, the gold medal having been won by Kristina Šmigun-Vähi of Estonia. in 27 minutes and 51 seconds.[10] Like her compatriot, she would also go on to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympics.[9]

• Mongolia at the 2006 Winter Paralympics