Norway’s cross-country skiing star Johannes Klaebo is chasing more than just records at next month’s Milano Cortina Olympics. The 29-year-old is aiming to turn personal milestones into a lasting legacy by becoming the most decorated skier in the sport’s history.

Klaebo is targeting a feat no one has achieved in cross-country skiing. He aims to surpass the eight gold medals won by his now-retired compatriot, Marit Bjoergen, and become the most successful Olympic athlete in the sport.

Already a five-time Olympic champion, Klaebo will head to Italy having moved beyond the sprint dominance that made him famous. Known for his explosive finishes and tactical speed, he has spent recent seasons competing more often in longer distances, positioning himself as a contender across the full program.

Klaebo showcased his versatility this season by winning six gold medals at the World Championships in Trondheim, Norway. He captured titles in both sprint and distance events, proving he is a threat in every discipline.

His strong performance has continued in the World Cup, where he remains among the leaders in the overall standings. In January, Klaebo also claimed his fifth overall Tour de Ski title, extending his own record in the multi-stage event.

Klaebo’s Olympic Medal Track Record

The Olympic cross-country competitions will be held in Val di Fiemme, where Klaebo has enjoyed several World Cup victories. He made his Olympic debut at Pyeongchang in 2018, winning three gold medals. At the 2022 Beijing Games, Klaebo retained his sprint titles and also won bronze in the 15 km individual event and silver in the 4x10 km relay.

Since then, he has adjusted his training to compete across the full Olympic program, balancing sprint speed with endurance to tackle both short and long-distance races.

If Klaebo wins all the available events in Italy, he can reach 11 gold medals, surpassing Bjoergen’s record and becoming the Winter Olympics athlete with the most gold medals in history.

“I’ve never seen an athlete like him,” said Norwegian cross-country coach and commentator Frederik Aukland after Klaebo’s six gold medals at the World Championships in March. “In my eyes, he is the best cross-country skier of all time.”

Norway’s Top Medal Hope

Norway is once again expected to be among the strongest nations in cross-country skiing, with Klaebo leading a team that is targeting medals across the schedule.

With final preparations underway, the focus now shifts to whether Klaebo can carry his current form onto the sport’s biggest stage and turn his record bid into reality.

“Klaebo is, and remains, the best in the world,” said Norwegian cross-country expert Petter Soleng Skinstad. “His current sprint form is on par with the very best he has ever produced, and the Val di Fiemme courses are tailor-made for him.

“If you exclude the alpine hill, Klaebo has seemingly never lost a race on the Olympic tracks there. He has won every prologue, every sprint final and every distance race held on those courses. Six out of six Olympic gold medals are possible.”

-Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters