Six Races, Six Golds - Klaebo's Historic Olympics
Monday, 23 February, 2026183 words3 minutes
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has etched his name into Olympic legend by securing an unprecedented six gold medals at a single Winter Games, surpassing a record that had endured for over four decades. The Norwegian cross-country skiing phenomenon led a complete podium sweep for his nation in the grueling 50km mass start classic, the culminating event of his extraordinary campaign.
The 29-year-old from Trondheim eclipsed American speed skater Eric Heiden's benchmark of five golds from the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, extending his own record for Winter Olympic gold medals to 11. His dominance throughout the Games was absolute, becoming the first athlete to claim victory in all six cross-country skiing disciplines at a single Olympics.
"After the world championships last year, we knew that it was possible, but to be able to do it, it's hard to find the right words," Klaebo reflected. His remarkable Olympic haul follows an equally impressive performance at last year's World Championships in Trondheim, where he swept all six available titles on home snow, adding to his staggering tally of 116 World Cup victories and 15 world championship titles.
