Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo sets ninth gold record

February 15, 2026 / 11:29 PM

Sharjah24: Norwegian skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo led his country to victory in the 4x7.5km cross-country skiing relay on Sunday at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, securing a major record.

The 29-year-old entered the history books as the most decorated Winter Olympic gold medallist after winning his ninth gold medal.

Fourth gold in current edition

Klaebo claimed his fourth gold of these Games, following victories in the skiathlon, individual sprint and 10km events. He added these to the five gold medals he won at the PyeongChang 2018 (three) and Beijing 2022 (two) Olympics, bringing his total to nine.

He had equalled the previous record on Friday, which was jointly held by fellow Norwegians Marit Bjoergen, Bjorn Daehlie and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. With Sunday’s victory, he became the most decorated Winter Olympic athlete in history.

Among all-time Olympic greats

Klaebo now ranks second on the list of athletes with the most Olympic gold medals across both Summer and Winter Games. He shares the position with several legends, including Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, American swimmers Mark Spitz, Caeleb Dressel and Katie Ledecky, American sprinter Carl Lewis, and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi.

At the top of the all-time list remains American swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 23 gold medals between 2004 and 2016.