Norwegian Skier Wins Record 9th Winter Olympic Gold Medal

At 29 years old, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo just made Winter Olympics history by winning his ninth gold medal, more than any athlete ever.

Klaebo led Norway to victory in the men's 4x7.5km relay at the Milan-Cortina Games on Sunday, skiing alongside teammates Emil Iversen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, and Einar Hedegart. The Norwegian team dominated the race, finishing more than 22 seconds ahead of France and host country Italy.

This record-breaking gold is Klaebo's fourth medal at these Games alone. He previously won three golds in Pyeongchang in 2018 and two more in Beijing four years later, building a stunning collection that also includes 15 world championship titles.

The most remarkable part? Klaebo isn't done yet. He still has two more chances to add to his legacy this week, with the men's team sprint on Wednesday and the 50km classic race on Saturday.

Why This Inspires

What makes Klaebo's achievement even more special is how he's doing it. While many elite athletes talk about pressure and sacrifice, Klaebo says his secret weapon is actually having fun.

"Being able to do that and take the ninth one with the team is special and it couldn't be a better way to do that," he said after the race. He explained that staying relaxed and enjoying the journey has been crucial to his performance, especially at these Games.

Klaebo shared that preparing for Milan-Cortina felt easier than previous competitions, and that showing up with the right mindset mattered just as much as being in peak physical shape. "Having fun on the way is also important and I think it shows in the results," he said.

His approach offers a refreshing reminder that even at the highest levels of competition, joy can be just as powerful as discipline. Klaebo proves that breaking records doesn't mean breaking yourself.