norwegian skier makes history with six golds in one olympics

2026-02-21 sport

Cortina d’Ampezzo, zaterdag, 21 februari 2026.
Johannes Høsflot Klaebo has made sports history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milaan-Cortino. He became the first athlete ever to win six gold medals in a single edition of the Winter Games. His victory in the 50 km mass start sealed the record-breaking performance. Klaebo outpaced rivals in a grueling two-hour race, finishing ahead of his Norwegian teammates. This sixth gold breaks the previous record of five held since 1980. He now stands alone as the most successful athlete in Winter Olympics history with eleven titles overall. His dominance across sprint, distance and relay events shows unmatched versatility. All six of Norway’s cross-country golds belong to him. The feat marks a milestone in winter sports history.

klaebo completes historic olympic campaign with sixth gold

Johannes Høsflot Klaebo secured his place in Winter Olympics history by winning six gold medals at the 2026 Games in Milaan-Cortina. His final triumph came in the 50 km mass start on Saturday, 21 February 2026, where he led a Norwegian podium sweep alongside Martin Loewstrøm Nyenget and Emil Iversen [1]. This unprecedented achievement surpasses the previous single-edition record of five golds, held by American speed skater Eric Heiden since 1980 [2]. Klaebo’s dominance spanned every cross-country discipline offered, including the sprint, 10 km freestyle, 20 km skiathlon, teamsprint, and 4×7.5 km relay [3].

unmatched versatility seals legacy

Klaebo’s success across such varied distances highlights exceptional athletic range. He claimed victories in short explosive sprints and endurance-heavy marathons, demonstrating rare adaptability [4]. The 50 km race, lasting over two hours, tested both physical stamina and tactical intelligence [5]. With a maximum lead of approximately two minutes over chasing competitors, the Norwegian trio controlled the race from the midpoint onward [6]. His closing burst, famously known as the ‘Klaebo-kliv,’ proved decisive in breaking away from Nyenget in the final kilometers [7]. This comprehensive mastery distinguishes his accomplishment beyond mere medal count.

all-time leader in winter olympic golds

With his eleventh career gold medal, Klaebo now holds the record for the most Olympic golds in Winter Games history [8]. He surpasses fellow Norwegians Marit Bjørgen, Ole Einar Bjørndalen, and Bjørn Dæhlie, each of whom earned eight gold medals [9]. While swimmer Michael Phelps remains the overall Olympic leader with twenty-three golds, Klaebo stands alone among winter athletes [10]. His journey began at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, where he collected three golds, followed by two more in Beijing 2022 [11]. At age 29, competing in his third Olympics, he achieved peak performance under guidance from his lifelong coach—his grandfather, Kåre Høsflot [12].

building on prior milestones

This six-medal haul builds upon earlier achievements reported during the Games. On 13 February 2026, Klaebo captured his ninth gold, becoming the most decorated Winter Olympian at the time [13]. That victory, in the 4×7.5 km relay, marked a pivotal point, placing him above historical figures [14]. By matching Eric Heiden’s five-gold benchmark during the team sprint event, Klaebo positioned himself for the ultimate breakthrough [15]. The 50 km mass start served as both a personal and symbolic finale, cementing his dominance across all formats of cross-country skiing [16].

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Winterspelen Johannes Klaebo