The moment of truth had arrived, and with it, a coronation.
At the tender age of 29, Johannes Klaebo, Norway’s cross-country skiing sensation, stepped onto the Olympic stage for all six men’s events at the 2026 Winter Games. With breathtaking precision and power, he conquered every single one, claiming an unprecedented six gold medals.
His path to glory began with the grueling 12-mile skiathon, demanding mastery of two distinct skiing techniques. Next, he dominated the rapid-fire sprint, a thrilling three-and-a-half-minute dash across four rounds. He then showcased his individual prowess in the time trial before joining his formidable Norwegian teammates to secure victories in two different relay events. Five gold medals already adorned his neck.
But the ultimate test awaited on Saturday: the sixth and final event, a formidable 31-mile mass start race. The question loomed large: could one athlete truly excel in a sprint, a middle-distance event, and a marathon-length race at the pinnacle of the Olympic Games? For Klaebo, the answer was a resounding yes.
He masterfully broke away from the main pack alongside two of his Norwegian compatriots, creating an unassailable lead early on. The writing was on the wall: Norway would sweep the podium. The only remaining suspense was which of the three would claim the coveted gold.
As the miles relentlessly passed, Emil Iversen gradually fell behind, leaving Klaebo to battle it out with Martin Nyenget for the top spot.
In a final, electrifying surge, Klaebo launched a blistering attack on the last challenging climb, leaving Nyenget behind. This victory marked his sixth gold medal of the 2026 Games and his eleventh Olympic gold overall. He had achieved the seemingly impossible, winning every single cross-country event. His incredible six gold medals in a single Winter Olympics shattered the previous record of five, set by speedskater Eric Heiden at the 1980 Games.
After his “mere” three golds in Pyeongchang 2018, a hill was named in his honor – the Klaebo bakken. Now, after this astounding display, one might seriously consider renaming Milan itself.