Quick Read
- Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his sixth Olympic gold medal in the men’s skiathlon at the Milan Cortina Games.
- This is Klaebo’s first Olympic gold in a distance race, previously winning in sprint and relay events.
- The Norwegian athlete finished the 20-kilometer race in 46 minutes, 11 seconds, with a late burst of speed.
- Mathis Desloges of France secured silver, and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget of Norway took bronze.
- Klaebo is now two gold medals away from the Winter Olympics record of eight.
TESERO, Italy (Azat TV) – Norwegian cross-country skiing sensation Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo secured his sixth Olympic gold medal on Sunday, dominating the men’s skiathlon at the Milan Cortina Games. The victory, achieved with a signature burst of speed in the final stretch at the Tesero cross-country stadium, marks a significant milestone for the 29-year-old, as it is his first Olympic gold in a distance race, further cementing his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Klaebo’s Historic Skiathlon Victory
Klaebo, who entered the 20-kilometer skiathlon as the clear favorite, lived up to expectations, finishing in a time of 46 minutes, 11 seconds. He remained within the lead pack throughout the challenging race, which seamlessly transitions between classic and freestyle techniques, requiring athletes to switch skis midway. His decisive move came just before entering the stadium for the final time, where he rapidly pulled away from his four remaining rivals, cruising to the finish line with a comfortable lead. He even had time to wave to the ecstatic crowd and a strong contingent of Norwegian supporters.
The win brings Klaebo just two gold medals shy of equaling the Winter Olympics record of eight, a feat currently shared by fellow Norwegian cross-country skiers Marit Bjoergen and Bjoern Daehlie, as well as biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen. With five more opportunities to compete at these Games, the prospect of Klaebo matching or even surpassing this record looms large. His performance follows a dominant year where he swept all six events at last year’s world championships, underscoring the immense pressure and high expectations placed upon him by his cross-country-mad home nation.
“[There were] a lot of nerves before this race, and I really felt like I wanted to do well here,” Klaebo stated after the race, as reported by ESPN. “And my body feels good. We had good skis. And it was an amazing day.” He added, “It’s my first [gold] on distance race, so it for sure means a lot. I just wanted to try to stay in the pack and have some energy left for the last uphill.”
Competitive Field and Course Challenges
The race saw a fiercely competitive field, with Mathis Desloges of France securing the silver medal, 2.0 seconds behind Klaebo. Desloges’ podium finish came after a review by judges cleared him of an earlier incident where he skied through cones to cut a corner. Norwegian teammate Martin Loewstroem Nyenget claimed the bronze, finishing just 2.1 seconds behind Klaebo, despite an on-course collision.
Nyenget was involved in an incident with Savelli Korostelev of Russia, who ultimately finished fourth, 3.6 seconds off the pace. Korostelev, competing as an independent athlete due to a team ban on Russia, later apologized for the contact, stating, “I didn’t see him. I was a little surprised about it. I’m so sorry.” Nyenget expressed relief at his medal, noting the challenging conditions: “It’s tough to latch back onto a group of the world’s best skiers. On the plus side, I felt really strong today. I’m a little relieved to get a medal. The course was rock hard and a little icy.”
The icy conditions proved challenging for several athletes, with both Edvin Anger of Sweden and Norway’s Harald Oestberg Amundsen suffering falls during the race. France also had a strong showing beyond Desloges, with Hugo Lapalus securing fifth place, 4.3 seconds behind the winner.
Evolution of the Skiathlon Event
This year’s Milan Cortina Games mark a notable evolution for the skiathlon event. For the first time in Olympic history, both men and women are competing over an equal 20-kilometer distance. Previously, men raced a longer 30-kilometer course. This change aligns with broader efforts towards gender equality in sports. Sweden’s Frida Karlsson had already claimed victory in the women’s 20-kilometer skiathlon on Saturday, setting the stage for Klaebo’s dominant performance in the men’s event.
Klaebo’s ability to transition his sprint dominance to a demanding distance event underscores a strategic evolution in his training and race execution, signaling a potential shift in his legacy from a specialized talent to a comprehensive cross-country powerhouse capable of challenging records across all disciplines.