Tor Arne Hetland has been appointed head coach of Norway's men's cross-country team f©Getty Images

Olympic gold medallist Tor Arne Hetland has been appointed as the head coach of Norway's cross-country male team, it was announced today.

The 42-year-old will step up to the top role having assisted Trond Nystad during the 2015-2016 season.

He returned to Norway after working as head coach in Germany, Switzerland and Canada following his retirement in 2009.

Hetland was previously among the world's top cross-country skiers.

The highlight was winning the Olympic gold medal in the individual sprint at Salt Lake City in 2002.

Tor Arne Hetland won the Olympic gold medal in the individual sprint at Salt Lake City 2002 ©Getty Images
Tor Arne Hetland won the Olympic gold medal in the individual sprint at Salt Lake City 2002 ©Getty Images

He also won an Olympic silver medal in the team sprint, classical at Turin four years later.

In addition, Hetland won five medals in the World Championships, including three gold.

Two of them came in the individual sprint and 4x10 kilometres at Lahti in 2001 and the third in the team sprint at Oberstdorf in 2005.

Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby won the FIS Cross-Country title in 2015-2016 for the third consecutive season ©Getty Images
Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby won the FIS Cross-Country title in 2015-2016 for the third consecutive season ©Getty Images

Hetland will take over a team that is the dominant force in the sport.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby won the overall title in the International Ski Federation Cross-Country World Cup, the third consecutive season he has finished out in front.

Norwegian skiers have won the overall title five in the last seven years, including the last four.

In the 16 races that made up the 2015-2016 FIS Cross-Country World Cup season, Norwegians won 21 of the 36 races.