‘He is the GOAT by far’: Klaebo goes for eighth gold of the Games

Even before Norway’s Johannes Hoesfloat Klaebo attempts to win his eighth Olympic gold medal in the Men’s Interval Start Free at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium on Friday, some of his opponents are already labelling him as “the GOAT”.

After finishing in third behind Klaebo in the Men’s Sprint Classic on Tuesday, compatriot Oskar Opstad Vike called him the greatest of all time, even before the seven-time Olympic champion has officially become the most decorated Cross-Country skier.

He needs to win just another two gold medals at Milano Cortina 2026 to achieve the feat, as the current record is held by another Norwegian, Bjoern Daehlie, who has a record tally of eight Winter Olympic Games golds.

“He’s the best skier of all time, so taking my first medal beside him, it couldn’t have been better,” said Vike after the Sprint Classic race.

Ben Ogden (USA), who also shared the podium after winning silver on Tuesday, was in high praise of Klaebo and said his standard helped to push his opponents who always “dream” that there is an outside chance that they can beat him.

“There’s obviously a few fewer gold medals up for grabs when you race against Johannes, but all of us dream of having the stiffest competition and the best people to hold ourselves to the best standard,” said Ogden.

“When you have to face Johannes in every single race, you know that you have to bring the best version of yourself and bring your A game, and you have to keep dreaming. 

“He wins a lot of races, for sure, but it doesn’t mean that one of us can’t come and give him a run for his money. Today I did my best, but he bested me – no surprise there – but maybe next time I’ll get on top.”

After the race Ogden celebrated by doing a backflip from the podium, which Klaebo followed with a twirl from the top, showing a more relaxed version of himself than was seen at the FIS 2025 World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, when he struggled under the pressure of winning his six golds.

“I’m in a completely different place. Pretty calm and balanced,” said Klaebo after winning his second Olympic gold in Italy. “I am not stressed about anything else, especially not now [after the victory]. It’s been a perfect start to the championship here.

“I haven’t had it as hellish as before Trondheim. My last year was an eternal struggle for the world championships and this year has been more enjoyment-driven.”

Those dreaming of making the podium – and most likely joining behind Klaebo – include Mathis Desloges (FRA) and Martin Loewstroem Nyenget (NOR), who have already finished behind Klaebo on the podium at Milano Cortina in the Skiathlon.

Norway will have a further strong contingent in Harald Oestberg Amundsen, who is currently behind Klaebo at the top of the World Cup standings, and 24-year-old Einar Hedegart who, while appearing at his first Winter Olympics, has three recent World Cup wins in 10km Freestyle.

Sweden’s Edvin Anger, also competing at his debut Olympics at age 23, was second in last year’s World Cup standings behind Klaebo, and will be keen to mount a challenge after a fall in the Skiathlon took him out of medal contention early.

For the full Cross-Country schedule for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games click here.