Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has written his name into sports history by winning the 50-kilometer race at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. This marks his sixth gold medal at the Games, setting an all-time record. The leader's success sealed Norway's dominance, as it became the first country in history to win 18 gold medals during a single edition of the Winter Olympics, surpassing the legendary achievements of speed skaters in the all-time rankings.

Klaebo's Absolute Record

The Norwegian won 6 gold medals at a single Games, breaking Eric Heiden's record from 1980.

Norwegian Domination

The Norwegian team set a new record with 18 golds and 40 medals total.

Veteran on the Podium

40-year-old Jorrit Bergsma became the oldest Olympic champion in speed skating.

Frida Karlsson's Bad Luck

The favorite for the 50 km race withdrew due to illness just before the start.

Saturday's 50-kilometer mass start race in Tesero brought the final resolution in the cross-country skiing competition, cementing Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo's status as the most outstanding Olympian in the history of winter sports. The 29-year-old Norwegian, by winning this grueling distance, secured his sixth gold at a single Games, breaking the nearly fifty-year-old record of American speed skater Eric Heiden, who won five titles in 1980. Klaebo finished the race with a time of 2:06:44.8, outpacing his compatriots Martin Loewstroem Nyenget by just under 9 seconds and Emil Iversen at the finish line. This also saw Norwegians dominate the entire podium, an extremely rare occurrence at such a prestigious distance. The 50-kilometer race, known as the king's distance, debuted in the Olympic program at the first Games in Chamonix in 1924. For decades, it has been a symbol of endurance, and its winners have gained legendary status in classical skiing. Great emotions also accompanied the events on the ice track in Milan. 40-year-old Dutchman Jorrit Bergsma proved that age is no barrier in elite sport by winning the mass start and becoming the oldest Olympic gold medalist in speed skating. Bergsma thwarted the plans of young American Jordan Stolz, who, despite having previously won two gold medals, finished fourth in the mass start final. The Dutch success was complemented by Marijke Groenewoud, who triumphed in the women's race, completing a full Dutch double in this discipline. 18 — championship titles won by Norway at these Games Unexpected reports came from the Swedish camp ahead of Sunday's women's final. Frida Karlsson, winner of two gold medals in Milan and a favorite for Sunday's 50 km race, had to withdraw from the competition due to a fever. This decision was made on the eve of the start, causing a stir in Scandinavian media. Meanwhile, a new Olympic discipline debuted in Bormio — ski mountaineering (SkiMo). In the mixed relay, Spaniards triumphed, with Ana Alonso Rodriguez winning two bronze medals just four months after tearing her cruciate ligaments in a car accident. „I'm just chasing the feeling of those last 100 metres. That's what I do this all for.” — Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo

Mentioned People

  • Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo — Norwegian cross-country skier, winner of six gold medals at a single Olympic Games.
  • Jorrit Bergsma — Dutch speed skater who won gold in the mass start at the age of 40.
  • Frida Karlsson — Swedish cross-country skier who had to withdraw from the 50 km race.
  • Jordan Stolz — American speed skater, winner of three medals in Milan.