How Johannes Klaebo’s Six Gold Medals Rank Among Olympic Performances

Johannes Klaebo of Norway won six gold medals at the 2026 Milan Games, completing the biggest medal haul ever by an athlete at a Winter Games. His latest victory came in the 50-kilometer mass start individual race. A handful of athletes have matched or exceeded that total at a single Olympics.

Michael Phelps reached eight golds in Beijing in 2008, collecting titles across freestyle, medley, butterfly and relays; his 4x100 freestyle relay that year required a dramatic rally by teammate Jason Lezak to secure the final victory. Mark Spitz had set the benchmark with seven golds in 1972, breaking world records in each event.

Several competitors have claimed six golds in one Games: Phelps in 2004 (he took bronze in the 200 freestyle and the 4x100 freestyle relay that year), Kristin Otto in 1988 (part of East Germany’s final Olympic team and never implicated in later doping confessions), and Vitaly Scherbo in 1992, who won multiple apparatus titles along with the all-around and team events.

Norway, Milan

johannes klaebo, six golds, milan 2026, 50 km, mass start, michael phelps, eight golds, mark spitz, kristin otto, vitaly scherbo