Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo wins 9th Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing - ESPN
ESPN
February 15, 2026
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Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has made history by winning his ninth Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The Norwegian athlete secured this record-breaking achievement in the men's 4x7.5-kilometer relay event, finishing with a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 24.5 seconds. Klaebo’s victory not only solidified his place as one of the greatest cross-country skiers but also broke a record previously shared by three retired Norwegian athletes: Marit Bjoergen, Bjorn Daehlie, and Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. Now, he stands alone at the top with an unprecedented nine gold medals.
Klaebo’s performance in the relay was nothing short of impressive. Anchoring Norway’s team, he delivered a flawless race, even slowing down near the finish line to wave to his cheering supporters. This gesture added a touch of humility to his extraordinary achievement. France took second place, just 22.2 seconds behind Norway, while Italy’s Federico Pellegrino secured bronze, finishing 47.9 seconds after Klaebo in what was likely his final season as an athlete.
The competition was fierce, with the United States finishing sixth, trailing Finland and Canada. Despite a strong start, the U.S. couldn’t quite match the dominance of Norway or the host nation Italy. Meanwhile, France’s strong performance highlighted their growing competitiveness
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/15/2026