Klaebo ties Winter Games gold record with dramatic 10km victory in Tesero
TESERO, Italy — Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won his eighth Olympic gold medal in the men's 10-kilometer interval-start race on Feb. 13, 2026 (ET), matching the all-time Winter Games record and extending an already dominant run at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Historic landmark: eighth gold, record matched
At 29, Klæbo now sits alongside three Norwegian greats who set the standard for Winter Olympic success. The eighth gold moves him level with the top mark in Winter Games history and cements his standing among the sport’s legends. He has three more starts at these Games to attempt to break the mark outright.
A race won on the last climb
The 10km time trial unfolded as the toughest test of the week for Klæbo, an event in which he had not previously taken Olympic gold. He raced a controlled first half, conserving energy for a brutal charge up the final hill and an exhausting home stretch. Klæbo crossed the line in 20 minutes, 36. 2 seconds, visibly drained and collapsing at the finish after one of the most physical efforts of the meet.
Podium rivals push the favourite
France’s Mathis Desloges took silver, 4. 9 seconds back, producing his second Olympic medal in his first Games and celebrating on the snow with teammates. Einar Hedegart of Norway, who had been one of the distance’s strongest performers this season, faded over the final kilometer and settled for bronze, 14 seconds behind the winner. Both challengers offered stern tests but could not match Klæbo’s late surge.
Conditions and course shaped the outcome
Racing under clear blue skies with the Dolomites as a backdrop and air temperatures near 40°F, the Tesero course presented firm tracks after organizers treated parts of the loop with salt the previous day. The decision to leave the course untouched on race day favored early starters among the seeded field, a slot Klæbo occupied. Spectators draped railings in Norwegian flags, and the atmosphere was buoyant for the country’s team.
What’s next: more chances to make history
Klæbo remains entered in three more events at these Games, including the men’s 4 x 7. 5km relay, where Norway will start as strong favorites and where another gold would give him a solitary claim to the record. For now, the focus will be on recovery and tactics: the margin for error has narrowed, but the opportunities to extend his legacy remain clear.
Reaction and significance
After the race Klæbo called the victory “a special day” and said he was at a loss for words, describing the final stretch as a near-physical collapse. Family were on hand in Tesero; his grandfather, who played a role in getting him into the sport, watched from the stands. Messages of congratulations poured in from Norway, where cross-country skiing dominates winter primetime. The win deepens Klæbo’s imprint on the sport and sets up a tense finish to the Milan Cortina program as he chases unprecedented Olympic history.
