Oslo: Norway continued its dominance in winter sports, dominating the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy with a total of 18 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals, for a total of 41 medals. This far surpassed second-place United States, which won 12 gold medals. Norway also broke its previous record for most Winter Olympic gold medals with 18, dominating across various sports including cross-country skiing, biathlon, and alpine skiing.
According to Thai News Agency, beyond team success, the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics also saw cross-country skier Johannes H¸sflot Kl¦bo become the most successful athlete in Winter Olympic history, sweeping six gold medals in a single competition. Tore Oevreboe, head of the Norwegian athletic delegation, revealed the secret to Norway's enduring success, which has allowed this nation of just over 5 million people to dominate the Winter Olympics for so long. He stated that it's not solely due to climate, but rather the "Norwegian model," which combines a sporting philosophy focused on happiness, advanced sports science, and a supportive social structure.
The philosophy of "Joy of Sport for All" is pivotal, focusing on participation rather than competition for children under 13. This model has driven a high rate of youth sports participation, reaching 93%, and fosters a diverse range of skills because they often play multiple sports simultaneously into adolescence. The Norwegian landscape and climate, combined with affordable access to skiing, support this culture. Over 12,000 local sports clubs are funded by lottery profits, ensuring equal access to sports resources.
Norway also adopted world-class sports science, establishing an Olympic sports center that integrates university research with training. Norwegian athletes train collectively, sharing knowledge and techniques, embodying "The Viking Spirit." This success extends to summer sports, with athletes like Erling Haaland, Jacob Ingeblitz, and Kasper Ruud rising through a youth development system emphasizing strong foundations and happiness.
In football, Bod¸/Glimt, a team from the Arctic Circle, defeated Inter Milan at San Siro 2-1, winning 5-2 on aggregate. This historic victory made them the first Norwegian team to reach the Round of 16 in the modern Champions League knockout stage. Despite their lower team value and lack of recent official matches, Bod¸/Glimt has previously defeated giants like Manchester City and Atl©tico Madrid.