Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s Historic Gold Medal Run: A New Era for Winter Olympics?
Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo cemented his place in Olympic history on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, securing his 10th gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games. This achievement places him in an exclusive club alongside swimming legend Michael Phelps, the only two Olympians to reach double-digit gold medal counts.
Klæbo’s Dominance in Milan Cortina
The 29-year-old cross-country skier, alongside teammate Einar Hedegart, won the men’s team sprint in a time of 18 minutes, 28.9 seconds, adding to his already impressive tally at these Games. This victory marks his fifth gold medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics, having previously won every race he entered, including breaking the Winter Olympics record in the 4×7.5-kilometer relay on Sunday.
A Historic Parallel with Michael Phelps
Klæbo’s accomplishment is particularly noteworthy when compared to Michael Phelps’s career. Phelps accumulated 23 gold medals across four Olympic Games (2004-2016), including a remarkable eight golds at the 2008 Beijing Games. Klæbo now stands as the only Winter Olympian to achieve 10 or more gold medals, a feat previously unmatched.
U.S. Silver and a Close Finish
The United States team of Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher secured a silver medal in the men’s team sprint, finishing just 1.4 seconds behind the Norwegian duo. Italy’s Elia Barp and Federico Pellegrino rounded out the podium with a bronze medal.
Looking Ahead: A Potential Sixth Gold
Klæbo has the opportunity to further extend his record in Saturday’s 50-kilometer mass start. A win would place him alongside Phelps, Mark Spitz, Kristin Otto, and Vitaly Scherbo as one of only six athletes to win six or more gold medals in a single Olympic Games.
Beyond the Podium: A Dog’s Unexpected Appearance
The Games weren’t without their lighter moments. A dog unexpectedly ran onto the track during the women’s team sprint heats, briefly joining the athletes as they raced. The incident, which didn’t disrupt the competition, brought cheers from spectators and a touch of levity to the event.
Sweden’s Victory in Women’s Team Sprint
In the women’s competition, Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist of Sweden continued their nation’s winning streak, taking gold. Switzerland’s Nadja Kaelin and Nadine Faehndrich earned silver, whereas Germany’s Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek secured bronze. The U.S. Team of Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern finished fifth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many gold medals does Johannes Høsflot Klæbo have?
A: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo has 10 gold medals.
Q: Who is the other Olympian with 10 or more gold medals?
A: Michael Phelps is the other Olympian with 10 or more gold medals.
Q: What is Klæbo’s next event?
A: Klæbo’s next event is the 50-kilometer mass start on Saturday.
Q: Who won silver in the men’s team sprint?
A: Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher of the United States won silver.
Did you know? Klæbo has been coached by his grandfather, Kaare Hoesflot, since he was 15.
Explore more coverage of the Milan Cortina Olympics here. Share your thoughts on Klæbo’s historic achievement in the comments below!
