Klaebo wins record ninth Winter Olympics gold medal / Photo: Javier SORIANO - AFP
Klaebo wins record ninth Winter Olympics gold medal
Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo became the first Winter Olympian to win nine gold medals when he led home his country's 4 x 7.5 kilometre relay team on Sunday.
The Norwegian quartet were so far ahead that Klaebo was able to wave to the crowd before the finish line, where he was greeted by his celebrating teammates in bright sunshine in Tesero.
Klaebo, 29, has won four of his nine golds at the Milan-Cortina Games and he has two more events still to come.
He overtakes three of his compatriots who have won eight golds at Winter Olympics -- former cross-country skiers Marit Bjoergen and Bjoern Daehlie, and former biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen.
"It feels amazing. I'm not sure if I've ever dreamed about it either. It's just something that I'm really proud of for sure," Klaebo said.
"Being able to do it with the team as well, it means a lot. I think it's hard to actually find words for it, because I think it hasn't really sunk in yet."
He said after his history-making moment he had received messages through Norwegian broadcaster NRK from the athletes who had won eight golds.
"It was good to share the top with them for a couple of days. It feels even better to be on the top alone for sure," he said.
"It's a big achievement, and I think it will take some time to let it sink in."
He said he would "celebrate a little bit for sure" before focusing on the men's team sprint free event, on Wednesday.
Klaebo won three golds at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, and another two four years later in Beijing.
He also has a silver and bronze medal from the Beijing Games.
In the relay, France won the silver medal and Italy took the bronze.
N.Steward--EWJ
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