Six out of six gold medals. Still, neither Athlete of the Year nor People’s Choice at the Sports Gala. Now Klæbo is chasing an award he believes means more.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won six gold medals out of six possible at last year’s World Championships in Trondheim. No one had done that before. He won the Tour de Ski and the overall World Cup and claimed 15 World Cup victories. He was nominated in two categories at the Norwegian Sports Gala, but did not receive a single award, neither Athlete of the Year nor People’s Choice.

This year, Klæbo won six out of six gold medals at the Olympics. He has become the most successful Winter Olympian of all time, across all sports. In addition to the “usual” achievements, he has won the Tour de Ski overall and now holds the record for most Tour titles. He is also on track to win the overall World Cup again by an enormous margin.

Yet Klæbo has no great expectations of receiving any major awards at next year’s Sports Gala either.

“And I honestly couldn’t care less,” he says.

However, Klæbo grins broadly when the topic turns to a possible nomination in an entirely different category, one he believes carries even more prestige: Coach of the Year.

“That means more. That’s the goal,” Klæbo tells SVT Sport.

The coaching performance of a lifetime

In addition to his own remarkable performances, Klæbo has coached Emil Iversen to what must be considered one of the greatest comebacks in history.

The 34-year-old from Meråker has gone from being dropped, written off, and ridiculed to Olympic champion in less than a year.

For months, Klæbo and Iversen have shared rooms, rumors, and training sessions, spending extensive time at altitude camps. Klæbo has publicly supported Iversen in the media and defended his friend when he felt Iversen was treated unfairly. Most importantly, he has taught him everything he knows, shaken up Iversen’s habits, good and bad, and restored the veteran’s confidence.

And then Iversen won Olympic medals in both events he was selected for: gold in the relay and bronze in the 50km.

“I’m eager for the Coach of the Year award,” Klæbo confirms.

And what does Emil Iversen say?

The comeback star describes himself as an emotional person. He is quick to thank everyone who has supported him. But he is not afraid to point out the class difference compared to the rest of the field.

“I’m so happy and exhausted. I honestly don’t understand anything. It just doesn’t stop going well. Everything has led up to this day. It’s been a very long winter. I’m competing against guys who have prepared for this race for four months, while I’ve been on the sidelines trying my best the whole time. I’ve lived on belief. Today I had nothing left to give. I’m very, very proud,” Iversen told HBO Max. He continued:

“There’s a huge gap down to the next guy. We are clearly the three best. Johannes is the best skier ever, and Martin has been the best classic skier behind him. I can almost keep up, but in the end, I have to admit… Now I’m just going to take that damn bronze and get myself to that damn medal ceremony tomorrow.”

FACTS 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games – Cross-Country Skiing

• When: Saturday 7, to Sunday, February 22, 2026
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Val di Fiemme, Italy
• What: Milano-Cortina 2026

Saturday, February 7: 20km Skiathlon C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, February 8: 20km Skiathlon C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men

Tuesday, February 10: Sprint C Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 9:55 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 11:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Final C, Men

Thursday, February 12: 10km Interval Start F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval F, Women

Friday, February 13: 10km Interval Start F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:45 CET: 10km Interval F, Men

Saturday, February 14: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Women

Sunday, February 15: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Team Sprint Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Women
• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Men
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Women
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Men

Saturday, February 21: 50km Mass Start C Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Men

Sunday, February 22: 50km Mass Start C Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Women

The complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.