Norwegian cross-country skiing sensation Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has etched his name in Winter Olympic history by capturing an unprecedented sixth gold medal at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games. The 29-year-old phenom achieved this extraordinary feat by dominating the grueling 50km mass start classic event, completing the challenging course in 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 44.8 seconds.
Klaebo’s victory marked a complete Norwegian podium sweep, with teammates Martin Loewstroem Nyenget securing silver and Emil Iversen claiming bronze. Nyenget finished 8.9 seconds behind the champion, earning his third medal of the competition.
This historic performance surpasses the previous record of five gold medals set by American speed skater Eric Heiden at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics. Klaebo now boasts 11 Winter Olympic gold medals overall, establishing himself as the first athlete to win all six cross-country skiing events at a single Games. Among all Olympians, only swimming legend Michael Phelps, with 23 gold medals, stands above Klaebo’s remarkable achievement.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, Klaebo told BBC Sport: ‘It’s been crazy, it’s a dream come true. I really think this Olympics has been perfect. Being able to crown the Olympics with the 50km was unbelievable.’
The Norwegian champion’s journey to skiing greatness began when he moved to Trondheim as a child, a region renowned for its cross-country skiing trails. His dominance extends beyond the Olympics, with an incredible 116 World Cup victories and 15 world championship titles to his name.
Meanwhile, Team GB’s Andrew Musgrave delivered a respectable sixth-place finish, nearly four minutes behind Klaebo, while teammate Joe Davies placed 16th. The 35-year-old Musgrave, competing in his fifth Olympics, humorously remarked about potentially competing in his sixth Games: ‘I’m still young and promising.’
Despite limited resources, the British cross-country team celebrated their most successful Olympic performance to date, including a fifth-place finish in the team sprint event—the nation’s best result in the sport.