Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, a Norwegian cross-country skier, has equaled the record for the most gold medals won at the Winter Olympics. This achievement comes after his victory in the men's 10km cross-country skiing free event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games. Klæbo's win marks his eighth Olympic gold medal, placing him in a four-way tie with other legendary Norwegian athletes: Marit Bjørgen, Bjørn Dæhlie (both cross-country skiers), and Ole Einar Bjørndalen (biathlete).
Klæbo's recent success includes wins in the skiathlon and men's sprint events, leading up to his record-tying 10km performance. With several events still remaining in the current Games, there is a possibility for him to surpass this milestone and set a new record. His performances have drawn comparisons to the success of swimmers like Michael Phelps, who holds a significant number of gold medals in the Summer Olympics.
Read More: Great Britain Wins First Snow Gold Medal
Klæbo's Path to the Record
The Norwegian athlete's journey to this point has been marked by consistent dedication and a focus on his technique. Klæbo's wins have been attributed to relentless hard work, including meticulous attention to his training regimen, diet, and recovery processes. His technique was reportedly evident from his teenage years, foreshadowing his future success.
Early Victories: Klæbo secured his first Olympic gold in the skiathlon event on Sunday, February 8th.
Sprint Success: He followed this with a victory in the men's sprint on February 10th.
Record-Tying Performance: On Friday, February 13th, he won the 10km free event, securing his eighth gold medal and tying the all-time record.
This performance in the 10km race was described as thrilling, with Klæbo finishing 4.9 seconds ahead of France's Mathis Desloges and 14 seconds in front of Norway's Einar Hedegart. Notably, the race was considered one of his tougher challenges, particularly as he performs less favorably in timed events when not competing head-to-head. Despite this, he demonstrated rare signs of fatigue after crossing the finish line.
Read More: Great Britain Wins Historic Snowboard Gold
Broader Context of Achievement
Klæbo's record-tying performance places him among the most decorated athletes in Winter Olympics history. His current medal tally at the Milano Cortina Games includes 10 Olympic medals in total.
Joint Record Holders: The record for most Winter Olympic gold medals is now shared by four Norwegian athletes, all distinguished in endurance disciplines.
Potential for New Record: With three more events potentially available to him, Klæbo has opportunities to break the tie and establish a new benchmark for gold medals in the Winter Games.
Past Success: Klæbo also achieved a remarkable feat at the World Championships in his hometown of Trondheim the previous year, sweeping all six gold medals in cross-country skiing events.
Factors Contributing to Success
Interviews and reports suggest that Klæbo's achievements are the result of a comprehensive commitment to his sport. His approach to training, recovery, and even personal life events, like his proposal on Friday the 13th, reflects a deliberate strategy to optimize performance.
Read More: Josie Baff Wins Gold Medal in Snowboard Cross for Australia
Sacrifice and Dedication: Klæbo has reportedly sacrificed aspects of his life concerning training, nutrition, sleep, and post-race recovery to maximize his competitive edge.
Mindset: He has expressed a preference for head-to-head races over timed events, suggesting a competitive drive that thrives on direct rivalry.
Team Support: The success of the Norwegian team is evident in the medal table, with Norway leading with 6 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze medals for a total of 12 by February 10th, indicating strong overall team performance.
Expert and Media Commentary
The media has extensively covered Klæbo's rise, with terms like "King Klæbo" and "Norwegian superstar" highlighting his dominant presence in cross-country skiing. His ability to consistently perform at the highest level has led to questions about how competitors can challenge him.
"You just race for second and hope he smiles at you on the way past." - The Guardian
Read More: Brignone Wins Gold in Olympic Giant Slalom; Shiffrin Finishes 11th
This quote encapsulates the perceived invincibility of Klæbo in current competitions. His consistent victories and pursuit of further records underscore his impact on the sport.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo's accomplishment of tying the all-time Winter Olympics gold medal record is a testament to his exceptional skill and dedication. His eighth gold medal in the 10km free race solidifies his status as one of the greatest winter athletes.
Record Equalled: Klæbo now shares the record for the most Winter Olympic gold medals with three other Norwegian legends.
Record Breaking Potential: With upcoming events, he is positioned to potentially set a new record.
Ongoing Competition: His participation in the men’s 4 x 7.5km relay on Sunday, with his Norwegian team as favorites, presents another immediate opportunity for him to add to his medal count.
Read More: Great Britain Wins Historic Snowboard Cross Gold
The continued participation of Klæbo in the Milano Cortina 2026 Games will be closely watched, not only for further victories but also for the possibility of witnessing him break the existing gold medal record.
Sources Used:
Olympics.com: https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/kl%C3%A6bo-equals-all-time-winter-olympics-gold-record-breaking-down-medals-and-stats-of-norwegian-superstar - Published 2 days ago, details Klæbo's record and potential medal sweep.
NBCOlympics.com: https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/king-klaebo-climbs-summit-winter-olympics-ties-all-time-gold-medal-record - Published 1 day ago, focuses on Klæbo tying the gold medal record and his post-race reaction.
AP News: https://www.apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-cross-country-klaebo-6d712004bd9250bf8921d3c1a8333312 - Published 2 days ago, highlights Klæbo's dedication and sacrifice, and his tie with retired Norwegian athletes.
The New York Times (The Athletic): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7044309/2026/02/13/olympics-johannes-klaebo-gold-record/ - Published 2 days ago, details Klæbo's eighth gold medal victory and his upcoming relay race.
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story//id/47918219/norwegian-skier-klaebo-ties-all-winter-olympics-gold-record - Published 2 days ago, reports on Klæbo's record-tying eighth gold medal and his performance against competitors.
Sporting News: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/olympics/news/most-gold-medals-winter-olympics-all-time-record/d25350083b8e180120c9dba4 - Published 1 day ago, provides context on Klæbo's record in comparison to other Olympians and lists those tied for the Winter Olympics gold medal record.
The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/10/winter-olympics-briefing-johannes-hosflot-klaebo - Published 3 days ago, discusses Klæbo's triumphs and mentions Norway's leading position in the medal table.
Read More: Johannes Klæbo Wins 9th Gold, Breaks Winter Olympics Record
