Sweden finished last in the men’s Olympic relay, three and a half minutes behind the winning Norwegian cross-country team. No one expected it to go that badly.

Veterans Johan Häggström and Calle Halfvarsson had no teams behind them. It was also clear that the equipment was not good. Häggström tried double poling outside the tracks on the climbs, but it did not help.

At the first exchange, Sweden was 37.9 seconds behind the lead and last among the 10 teams in the relay.

“It was a tough second lap. I just tried to fight to minimize the gap, but it just keeps growing,” Häggström told SVT Sport, adding:

“My performance is nothing short of unacceptable.”

Some believed Calle Halfvarsson could rescue Sweden. But the gap only increased, and halfway through, they were nearly 1:40 behind. Still last.

“If you don’t have equipment as good as the best teams, you’re done,” Halfvarsson told SVT Sport.

Neither William Poromaa nor Edvin Anger impressed. Sweden crossed the finish line almost three and a half minutes behind heavy favorite Norway, which handled the pressure and won ahead of France and Italy.

A historic fiasco. Last in the Olympic relay. Let that sink in.

Klæbo makes history

Norway broke away on the second leg through classic specialist Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget. Before that, Emil Iversen had handed over in first place on the opening leg.

Einar Hedegart and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo had no trouble securing gold, even though France fought well behind them and, at one point, was only 6 seconds back on the final leg.

Klæbo claimed his ninth Olympic gold medal, four of them at these Games alone. That makes him the most successful Winter Olympian of all time. He passed legends such as Marit Bjørgen, Ole Einar Bjørndalen, and Bjørn Dæhlie. He also became the first cross-country skier to win four Olympic gold medals at a single Games.

And there is still a team sprint and a 50km race to come.

Complete results can be found HERE

Also Read: Norway powers to men’s 4×7.5km Relay gold at Milano-Cortina 2026

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

Complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Val di Fiemme, a classic Nordic skiing venue, promises thrilling racing on courses steeped in Olympic history. Fans around the World will have the chance to cheer on athletes across all distances, from explosive sprints to grueling marathons.

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