Johannes Klæbo’s huge challenge at the 2026 Olympics: chasing six Olympic golds and the all-time Winter Games record

Johannes Klæbo’s immense challenge at the 2026 Olympic Games, aiming for six gold medals and the all‑time Winter Games record

Already a five‑time Olympic champion at 29, Norwegian cross‑country skier Johannes Klæbo came to Milan‑Cortina aiming to write an even bigger chapter in Olympic history. Taking part in his third Games (PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022, now Milan‑Cortina 2026), Klæbo had previously collected seven Olympic medals — five golds and two silvers — and arrived in Italy determined to win every event he entered.

Klæbo is entered in six cross‑country races at these Games, including two relays, and he insists he wants to prevail in each of them. That ambition is credible: he claimed the 10 km skate (his third Olympic title of the edition) — arguably the toughest target on paper — and in February 2025 at the World Championships in Trondheim he achieved an unprecedented clean sweep of six gold medals at a single worlds. This season he passed 100 World Cup victories and was leading both the sprint and distance standings.

What makes Klæbo exceptional is his versatility. He can win the individual sprint (1.5 km) which requires explosive speed and tactics, the skiathlon that mixes classic and skate technique, and even long distances up to 50 km that demand endurance and race management. Together with his Norwegian teammates he is also extremely strong on the team formats: the classic/freestyle relays and the team sprints.

If he does not complete an Olympic Grand Slam, Klæbo can still make history in other ways. Four additional Olympic golds would lift him past Norway’s own legends — Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Marit Bjørgen and Bjørn Dæhlie — each of whom won eight Olympic golds, making Klæbo the sole most‑titled Winter Olympian. There is an important caveat: during Dæhlie’s era the Olympic cross‑country program did not include the sprint event, which limited the number of available titles.

Finally, should Klæbo reach five golds at Milan‑Cortina and push beyond, he would join the very smallest group of athletes with ten or more Olympic golds across Summer and Winter Games — a list currently headed by swimmer Michael Phelps (23 golds).

Author: Paul Bonnaud Published: 13 February 2026