Winter Olympics 2026: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo was 'sceptical' on morning of race he would make start line before record-breaking gold due to illness

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo was going for a record-breaking sixth gold medal at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in the 50km mass start on Saturday. But on the morning of the race, he was 'sceptical' that he would be on the start line because of illness he was dealing with. However, he felt better in the morning and took to the course, eventually writing himself into the history books.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo etched himself further into the history books on Saturday. But even on the morning of his record-breaking feat, he was not sure he would be able to.

Klaebo won his sixth gold medal at 2026 Milano Cortina, finishing first in the 50km mass start, breaking the all-time record for most gold medals in a single Winter Olympic Games.

But, the Norwegian revealed afterwards that an illness he had been suffering from made him doubt whether he would even be able to make his historic attempt.

Falun

Klaebo triumphs again, says Olympics 'party' helped him prepare for World Cup glory

28/02/2026 at 19:25

"When I woke up this morning, I was a little bit sceptical if I was able to be on the starting line actually," the 29-year-old told TNT Sports.

"Over the last couple of days, I’ve been struggling with my throat, so I was really curious to see if I would manage to be on the starting line. But when I woke up, I felt like: ‘OK, I’ll give it a shot.’ And then to finish it all up, it’s amazing."

Klaebo showed no signs of the ailment during Saturday’s race though, producing a stunning late attack to claim gold.

Watch: Klaebo activates beast mode again to win SIXTH gold

Video credit: TNT Sports

He and his compatriots, Martin Loewstrom Nyenget and Emil Iversen, had led for most of the race, but in the final 5km, Klaebo launched an attack which quashed any doubts about his gold medal contention.

Akin to his uphill sprint which went viral on social media during the classic sprint, Klaebo charged ahead and never looked back.

Before crossing the finish line by nearly a nine-second margin, Klaebo looked over his shoulder, slowed down and held his arms aloft - soaking in the adulation of the crowd, before slumping to the floor and embracing his compatriots.

In a similar manner to his clean sweep at last year's World Championships, Klaebo has won gold in every race he entered at Milano Cortina. His gold in the 50km mass start means he surpasses Eric Heiden's speed skating tally at the 1980 Games at Lake Placid.

Watch: Exhausted Klaebo salutes crowd after making more Olympic history

Video credit: TNT Sports

• Super Saturday: Team GB eye flying finish with 10 gold medals up for grabs
• Hall and crew sit just outside medal positions after first two heats

Afterwards, he explained what this moment meant to him, describing it as "crazy."

"It’s been amazing to finish it up here and the 50km is always a special distance. It’s kind of the toughest one and everyone wants to win it and to be able to do that, it’s unbelievable," he said.

"I will remember it until the day I’m gone, I guess. It’s amazing. It’s nice to have the family here and my fiancee too. And tonight we, for sure, are going to celebrate. It’s about time."

Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026

Dotzler a victim of 'strange situations' as skis taken by rival - 'She said sorry'

22/02/2026 at 17:29