Klæbo secures record ninth Winter Olympic gold as Norway dominates relay

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo sealed a landmark ninth Winter Olympic gold medal as he anchored Norway to victory in the men's 4 x 7.5 km relay at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Klæbo, 29, took the final leg and crossed the line as Norway posted a winning time of 1:04:24.5.

The Norwegian quartet of Emil Iversen, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, Einar Hedegart and Klæbo built and preserved a clear advantage through the race. France took silver in 1:04:46.7, 22.2 seconds adrift of the winners, while host nation Italy secured bronze in 1:05:12.4, 47.9 seconds behind Norway. The United States finished sixth in 1:06:11.8, trailing both Finland and Canada.

Italy’s podium finish was earned in a tight scrap for third as veteran Federico Pellegrino edged Finland on the final lap to deliver the home team its first cross-country medal of the Milano Cortina Games. France’s effort was led by Mathis Desloges, a two-time silver medalist who figured prominently in the chase for the podium.

Klæbo’s gold in the relay completed a remarkable haul at these Games: it was his fourth victory at Milano Cortina 2026, adding to wins in the 10 km freestyle, the 20 km skiathlon and the individual sprint. Those four crowns combined with three golds from Pyeongchang 2018 and two from Beijing 2022 bring his career Winter Olympic total to nine, the highest in the history of the Games. In doing so he surpassed previous Norwegian greats Bjørn Dæhlie and Marit Bjørgen as well as biathlete Ole Einar Bjørndalen on the all-time gold list.

Reflecting on the win, Klæbo said in Norwegian after the race, "It was a fantastic race, great to be able to give this gold medal to Norway." He emphasized the collective effort: "The other guys made it so possible and easy for me. It’s a team result and everyone, so many people involved, and I want to share the victory with all of them."

Asked about the historical significance of becoming the all-time Winter Olympic gold leader, Klæbo reacted, via ESPN, "I like the sound of that! It's a pretty nice title." He added, "But it’s special to do this together with this group. In Norway, winning the relay is what really matters, and today we all delivered."

Klæbo briefly slowed near the finish to wave to spectators, a gesture that left open the possibility of an even faster official time. He remains entered in two more events at Milano Cortina 2026, the men's team sprint and the 50 km mass start. A fifth gold at these Games would tie the single-Games record set by U.S. speed skater Eric Heiden.

Norway’s victory in the men’s relay caps another strong spell for its cross-country program at these Olympics, following the women's team relay success earlier in the week. The result reinforces Norway’s continued depth and dominance in Nordic skiing at the highest level.