Germany's Greis the Golden Boy of Turin

The 29-year-old German, who had won just once on the World Cup circuit coming into these Games, missed only one of his 20 targets to win the closing 15-km mass sprint event.

"If someone told me this morning I'd win a third goal medal I'd have said 'that would be great' because I was actually feeling pretty tired before the race," Greis told German television.

Earlier in the Games, Greis also won the 20-km individual event, and claimed gold after anchoring the German team to top podium spot in the 4x7.5-km relay.

On Saturday, Greis completed the five gruelling circuits of the 3-km San Sicario course in 47 minutes and 20.0 seconds, 6.3 seconds ahead of Tomasz Sikora of Poland, and 12.3 seconds in front of Ole Einar Bjoerndalen of Norway.

"Surprised"

"I was kind of surprised," said Greis. "To be going home with three golds is a great result for me. I came into the Olympics in good shape and focused. I'm very happy."

Bjoerndalen paid the price for missing three targets, two in his last visit to the range, after leading for much of the race in cold, snowy conditions.

"I'm a little disappointed with my result," the Norwegian said, adding that he was still happy to be leaving the Games with two silvers and a bronze to his name.

Sikora, who finished fifth in the mass start at last year's world championships, picked up only one penalty loop -- which takes top male biathletes around 22 seconds to complete.

The 32-year-old Pole said he knew it was a question of going for silver after Greis took control in the race for the finish line, with Bjoerndalen only 24 seconds behind.

"I was forced to make the most of the situation when I knew gold was impossible," he said.

The early part of the race became a duel between Sikora and Bjoerndalen, winner of five gold medals in the 1998 Nagano and 2002 Games.

The Norwegian, who had already picked up two silvers this time around in the pursuit and individual events, led after the first three visits to the shooting range but fell to third place after the fourth shooting test.

Greis, however, kept his nerve and took the lead from Sikora shortly after the fourth shoot and maintained his advantage through to the finish.