Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo becomes one of only two Olympians with ten or more gold medals.

Claebo Joins Phelps in Olympic Gold Medal History

Michael Phelps once stood alone as the only Olympian to secure double-digit gold medals, until now. Norway’s Johannes Hessfrod Claevo achieved his 10th gold medal in cross-country skiing at the Milan-Cortina Olympics on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in Winter Olympic history.

The 29-year-old Claevo paired up with Einar Hedegard to win the men’s team sprint, completing the race in 18 minutes and 28.9 seconds, which was his fifth gold medal in these Games. Impressively, he won every event he entered and even set a record in the 4×7.5 km relay last Sunday.

It’s no surprise that Claevo has been a force to be reckoned with; he has also won 15 titles at the World Championships. Of his total 30 international medals, a staggering 25 are gold, showcasing a level of dominance that is hard to fathom.

In contrast, Michael Phelps amassed 23 golds over four Olympic appearances from 2004 to 2016, achieving an unmatched eight victories at the 2008 Beijing Games alone. His other golds included six in Athens, four in London, and five in Rio de Janeiro.

Interestingly, Claevo currently holds the record for the most gold medals in Winter Olympic history, with the closest competitors—also from Norway—each stuck at eight and currently not in the spotlight. This gives Claevo an extended lead that seems quite secure for now.

As he gears up for the 50-kilometre mass start on Saturday, there’s a lot of anticipation. If he captures another gold, he will join an elite group of swimmers known for winning at least six golds in a single Olympics, including Phelps, Mark Spitz, and a few others.