Johannes Klæbo becomes the most decorated Winter Olympian after relay gold

Johannes Klæbo crowned again on the relay and became the most decorated athlete in Winter Olympic history: "He deserves this honour and he's not finished yet"

By Quentin Coldefy (with R. Do.) in Val di Fiemme (Italy) — published 15 February 2026 and updated 15 February 2026

If the Milan‑Cortina Games were looking for their star, they definitively found him on the Val di Fiemme course. Already king of the skiathlon, the sprint and the individual, Johannes Klæbo added a fourth golden day by anchoring an untouchable Norwegian relay on Sunday. The Trondheim native knows records: across his career he totals 116 World Cup wins and 15 world titles.

With this new Olympic title Klæbo now has nine Olympic gold medals (plus a silver and a bronze), surpassing fellow Norwegians Marit Bjørgen, Ole Einar Bjørndalen and Bjørn Dæhlie to become the most‑titled athlete in Winter Games history.

"He deserves it. He's been incredible since the start of the Games," Bjørndalen paid tribute from Antholz. "He used to be a sprinter but he has become a complete skier. There are more races now than before but that doesn't matter: winning nine Olympic golds is not easy. Klæbo does everything to be the best version of himself."

On Sunday the relay was never in doubt: Norway led from the start and Klæbo, who took the anchor leg with about fifteen seconds in hand, had the luxury of finishing while managing his advantage and saluting the crowd on the line. As usual, the greatest cross‑country skier of his generation did not explode in celebration when he climbed alone to the top of the winter Olympus. "I'm not sure I ever dreamed of this record. It's something I'm proud of. To beat it with the team means a lot. It's hard to find the words — I don't think I've realized it yet," he said.

Klæbo also paid tribute to his grandfather, the first to put skis on him in Norway. "I feel really privileged to have such a wonderful grandfather. He's 83, but he remains for me the most inventive person I know. He reads books, he's interested in many sciences to stay at the cutting edge, to learn and see what we can continuously improve," the Scandinavian legend said. "We spent so many days travelling together. He waxed my skis when I was young, prepared my plans, drove me to training and brought me home. I wouldn't be here without him."

Now a nine‑time Olympic champion, the 29‑year‑old can still achieve an even greater feat: win every cross‑country event at these Games, one year after doing so at the World Championships. After a first intense week with four races in seven days, he will line up for the men's team sprint — where Norway will be overwhelming favourites — and then aim to conclude his incredible fortnight with the 50 km mass start on Saturday.