Norwegian star Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo dominated the men’s 50km classical technique mass start cross-country skiing race on Saturday (February 21st), claiming victory and completing a clean sweep of all the events he participated in at this year’s Winter Olympics. With a total of 6 gold medals, he set a new record in Winter Olympic history.
This achievement by Klaebo shattered the 46-year record set by American speed skating legend Eric Heiden at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics for the most gold medals in a single Olympics, which stood at 5. While Heiden’s records were all from individual events, Klaebo’s haul includes two golds from team competitions, making him the most successful athlete in a single Winter Olympics in terms of gold medals.
“This is simply unbelievable,” Klaebo expressed after the race. “In Norway, we often say that to become a real man, one must win the 50km race. Today, we did it, and it’s the perfect way to end these perfect two weeks.”
In Saturday’s competition, Klaebo’s teammate Martin Loewstroem Nyenget secured the silver medal, while Emil Iversen took home the bronze, resulting in a Norwegian sweep of the podium. Nyenget marveled at Klaebo’s performance, likening him to a “machine” that was unbeatable in the final sprint.
According to the New York Post, Klaebo showcased remarkable physical prowess at this Winter Olympics. In the earlier short distance finals, he reached a top speed of 11.4 miles per hour on an uphill section, equivalent to a blazing pace of 5 minutes and 16 seconds per mile, garnering attention on social media for his skill in “snow uphill running.”
As reported by the Associated Press, Klaebo has now joined the exclusive “6-gold club” consisting of legendary stars like Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz, becoming one of only five athletes in history to win at least 6 gold medals in a single Olympic Games (across both Summer and Winter Olympics). He is also the first Winter Olympian to achieve this feat.
Currently, Klaebo’s career total of Winter Olympic gold medals stands at 11, placing him at the top of the Winter Olympics’ all-time rankings.
On the overall gold medal tally of both Summer and Winter Olympics, Klaebo now sits second only to American swimming superstar Phelps, who has 23 gold medals.
With outstanding performances from athletes like Klaebo, Norway has so far captured 18 gold medals at this Winter Olympics, setting new historical records for a single nation in a Winter Games with a total of 40 medals.