The 2022 Winter Olympics are well underway and Norway's Therese Johaug has opened up the gold rush in Beijing.The decorated Norwegian athlete scooped the first gold medal of the Games after dominating in the 15km Women's Skiathlon.Johaug obliterated the course with a time of 44:13.7 — finishing more than 30 seconds ahead of second place Natalia Nepryaeva of Russia. Austria's Teresa Stadlober completed the medal rankings with a third place finish of 44:44.2. Johaug's triumph in Beijing marks her fourth Winter Olympic medal and second gold in her skiing career, but only her first in an individual event. She also boasts seven World Cup titles and 14 World Championships.However, despite her glittering portfolio and an emphatic win on the Beijing slopes, Johaug's victory has come as a controversial one.ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - FEBRUARY 05: Therese Johaug of Team Norway celebrates crossing the finish line to win the gold medal during the Women's Cross Country 7.5km + 7.5km Skiathlon on Day 1 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at The National Cross-Country Skiing Centre on February 05, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Doping charges

In 2016, Johaug was convicted of doping after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug Clostebol. The Norwegian claimed the banned anabolic steroid had been in the ointment prescribed to her to treat sunburn on her lips.

However, skiing’s international governing body deemed her explanation implausible and Johaug was handed an 18-month ban, which saw her miss the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

The packaging of the lip ointment had a clear doping warning on the packaging, of which the court ruled she had "failed to conduct a basic check."

Gold medal controversy

After Johaug won the Skiathlon, a race designed to determine the best all-around skier, social media sparked into debate.

A number of Olympic fans have slammed the race outcome on social media, referring back to the 33-year-old's doping conviction.

One wrote a tongue in cheek comment that the "lip balm must have kicked in hard," while another branded the win as "suspect."

However, there are also supporters who have rushed to the defence of Johaug, and have backed the explanation that Johaug did not know what was in the ointment prior to using it.

While one Twitter user commented "no one believes the bad lip balm cover story", another has hit back and stated there is "every reason" to believe it and that Johaug has done "incredibly well to come back and win again."

But despite the ongoing discussions over her win, Johaug is relishing in the moment.

"It means a lot. I’ve never had an [individual] Olympic gold medal. I’m so happy."