Klaebo Makes History with Record 9th Gold Medal

Klaebo becomes most successful winter olympian

Johannes Klaebo wins record 9th gold medal in cross-country skiing, surpassing Norwegian legends.

“We have a strong team. This is really important for all the waxers, coaches and everyone...”

Johannes Klaebo made history by leading Norway to victory in the men's 4x7.5km cross-country relay, securing a record ninth Olympic gold medal. This achievement puts him ahead of fellow Norwegian legends Marit Bjoergen, Bjorn Daehlie, and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen.

The 29-year-old has already bagged four gold medals at these Games and is poised to add two more in the men's team sprint on Wednesday and 50km classic race on Saturday. His dominance has left competitors in awe, with US skier Zak Ketterson remarking, “We'd all love to beat him, but you have to admit he's probably one of the greatest athletes in any sport, summer or winter, maybe ever.”

History made! 🥇🤯

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo is redefining what it means to dominate on snow!

With nine Winter Olympic gold medals, he now has more than any other athlete 🔥#MilanoCortina2026 | #Olympics | @FISCrossCountry pic.twitter.com/oJFW3lOhbv

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 15, 2026

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo anchored Norway to a gold medal in the men's 4 x 7.5km relay, securing his ninth Winter Olympic gold and setting a new record. He took over the final leg with a 12.2-second lead and extended it to 22.2 seconds, crossing the line ahead of France and Italy.

This victory puts Klaebo ahead of Norwegian skiing legends Marit Bjoergen, Bjorn Daehlie, and biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, whom he previously shared the record with. The 29-year-old Norwegian has now won four gold medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

“We have a strong team. This is really important for all the waxers, coaches and everyone, including the teammates sitting back at the hotel, who also could have been a part of this team. It’s a team win and for me to do that as a ninth one is perfect,” Klaebo ⁠said after the race.

Norway maintained a steady lead throughout the race, making it a relatively easy win for Johannes Klaebo. France's Mathis Desloges, who already had two silvers, pushed his team into medal contention during the third leg. Meanwhile, Italy's Federico Pellegrino secured bronze on home soil in his last Olympics, overtaking Finland in the anchor leg.

“This French team is very strong, and today ‌we wrote some history,” Desloges said following the race.

France's silver medal team included Theo Schely, Hugo Lapalus, and Victor Lovera alongside Mathis Desloges. Italy's bronze medal team featured Davide Graz, Elia Barp, and Martino Carollo alongside Federico Pellegrino.

“It is something I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. But two years ago, when I started to think about the home Olympics, seeing the teammates increase their level, the dream became a goal. And today we achieved it,” Italy's Pellegrino said.

Johannes Klaebo's dominance is simply awe-inspiring, with many competitors conceding that he might be unstoppable. The Norwegian skier has consistently led by a comfortable margin throughout the Games, and Sunday's finish was no exception. He cruised across the finish line with ease, waving at the cheering Norwegian fans in the crowd.

“We’d all love to beat him, but you have to admit he’s probably one of the greatest athletes in any sport, summer or winter, maybe ever. Just the level ⁠of dominance is hard to ⁠believe,” said US skier Zak ‌Ketterson after the race.