For Johannes Klebo, winning the Olympics has become a routine matter // Photo: life.ru
The Norwegian skiing duo covered the 9-kilometer course in 18 minutes 28.98 seconds. Americans Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher were 1.37 seconds behind the winners. Third place went to Italians Elia Barp and Federico Pellegrino. They finished 3.31 seconds behind the Norwegians.
Half in Italy
With his victory in the team sprint, the 29-year-old Klebo won his tenth career Olympic gold medal. The Norwegian won five of them at the XXV Olympic Winter Games. In Italy, he was the best in the sprint classic style, skiathlon, 10-kilometer race with a separate start and men’s 4×7.5 km relay.
He won his first five gold medals at the Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018 (three wins) and Beijing, China, in 2022 (two wins).
After winning the men’s relay on Feb. 16, Klebo became the most decorated athlete in Winter Olympics history. He managed to surpass the achievement of his illustrious compatriots – Ole Einar Bjørndalen (biathlon), Marit Bjørgen and Bjørn Daly (both – cross-country skiing). During their careers, they have won eight top Olympic medals.
The gap could widen
Klebo can win another gold medal. The day before the Games close, on February 21, the Norwegian will take part in the 50km mass start, unless something extraordinary happens.
Johannes Klebo was born in Trondheim near Oslo (Norway) on October 22, 1996. He was born into a sporty family – his mother, father and grandfather were into ski racing. The future Olympic champion first stood on skis at the age of two. He received skis as a Christmas present from his grandfather Kore, who became his first mentor.
It is noteworthy that Johannes Klebo was fond of soccer for many years. He admitted that as a child he almost lived on the soccer field. He still calls Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo his idol.
