Norway swept the Nordic combined events at the Milan Cortina Winter Games in what could be the final time the sport is featured in the Olympics.

While Norway rules the 2026 medal table, its hockey teams are at home — a stark difference from its Nordic neighbors Sweden and Finland.

TESERO, Italy (AP) — Outside the Olympic cross-country stadium in the Dolomite mountains, Norwegian flags drape over the railings like bunting on a national holiday. Fans from the Scandinavian country have set up camp nearby and keep a live tally of medals won by their athletes at the Milan Cortina Games.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, right, and Einar Hedegart, of Norway, pose after winning the gold medal in cross-country skiing men’s team sprint free at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. AP

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo has won his ninth Olympic gold medal, the most of any Winter Olympian.

Norway cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo set a Winter Olympics record on Sunday by winning his ninth career gold medal — most in Winter Olympic history. The gold was his fourth of the 2026 Winter Olympics, joining his victories in the 10 km freestyle, 20 km skiathlon and the men's individual sprint.

Last updated: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET Top takeaway: Norway has stretched its lead to 14 gold medals and 31 total medals, while host Italy is up to 9 gold (24 total) and Team USA has climbed to 6 gold (21 total) as another wave of finals hits the standings

Norway claimed an improbable cross country relay gold at the Winter Olympics on Saturdaay after Ebba Andersson met disaster for top favourites Sweden in the second leg. World champions Sweden held the lead at the first exchange from sprint gold medallist Linn Svahn.