Cross-country skiing great Johannes Klaebo won the men’s 10km interval start race on Friday to win a record-equalling eighth Winter Olympics gold medal.
Klaebo clocked 20min 36.2sec to take gold ahead of France’s Mathis Desloges, who was 4.9sec slower. Norwegian Einar Hedegart won bronze.
“Today is one of the toughest races we’ve done and I think you saw that everyone was just completely exhausted when they crossed the finish line,” said Klaebo.
“And then it’s cool to be up there with a lot of great athletes.”
The Norwegian joins three compatriots on the same tally -- former cross-country skiers Marit Bjoergen and Bjoern Daehlie, and former biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen.
The 29-year-old will have the chance to break the record at the Milan-Cortina Games, with other events still to come.
“This is my first time winning a 10k interval start in skating which is so special. It’s cool to be able to do that,” Klaebo added.
“I’ve tried to really have focus on each free race and this one has been kind of the one I really wanted to do well.”
In addition to his eight golds, Klaebo has a silver and a bronze from the Beijing Winter Games and 15 world championship titles.
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