Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, Norway’s king of cross-country skiing, became the Winter Olympics’ outright most successful athlete with a record ninth gold medal.

Klaebo led his nation to the top of the podium in the men’s 4×7.5km relay – alongside team-mates Emil Iversen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget and Einar Hedegart – for his fourth title of the Milan-Cortina Games.

At 29 years old, it adds to the three golds he won in Pyeongchang in 2018 and two in Beijing four years later, while he is also a 15-time world champion.

His medal haul could yet grow further, with two further opportunities for gold in the men’s team sprint on Wednesday and 50km classic race on Saturday.

In Sunday’s relay, the Norwegian quartet won by a 22.2 second margin, with France and hosts Italy winning silver and bronze respectively.

Klaebo said it was perfect to share his record-breaking moment in the team event.

“Being able to do that and take the ninth one with the team is special and it couldn’t be a better way to do that,” he said afterwards.

He said being relaxed and enjoying himself is the key to his success, particularly at these Games.

“I’ve hit my right shape as well,” he said.

“It was a little bit easier to prepare myself for these Olympics than the last Olympics, and the world championships last year.

“Having fun on the way is also important and I think it shows in the results.”