Cross-country: Klæbo on Halfvarsson’s Olympic bid: “I hope he succeeds”

Norway’s cross-country star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has responded to Calle Halfvarsson’s stated goal for the 2026 Winter Olympics: to beat Klæbo in the classic sprint and win gold.

Klæbo said he welcomes the potential duel, but cautioned that the Val di Fiemme sprint at Milan–Cortina 2026 could be exceptionally demanding. “I think the sprint might be the hardest, considering the course. There are so many factors that can affect it. I mean it might be the toughest sprint course we’ve skied, at least in my career,” he told SVT Sport.

Halfvarsson, who struggled with recurring back problems last season, announced in April that he was stepping away from the Swedish national team setup to prepare independently, with the aim of securing an Olympic spot and targeting sprint gold. He points to the Tour de Ski 2023 sprint at the same venue, where he finished second behind Klæbo, as evidence that he can contend.

Coming off a dominant World Championships in Trondheim, where he won six gold medals, Klæbo tempered expectations about duplicating that feat at the Olympics in Italy, saying it would be difficult to replicate.