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Ranking Winter Olympics legends with the most medals

· Yahoo Sports

The Winter Olympics have always been a theater for the durable, a stage where the world’s most resilient athletes battle both their rivals and the unforgiving elements. While many dream of a single moment on the podium, a select few have turned the medal ceremony into a recurring appointment, building legacies that span decades and multiple Olympic cycles. These icons are defined by a rare blend of physical power and mental fortitude, maintaining an elite standard of excellence long after their peers have hung up their skates or skis.

In this exclusive club of winter legends, success is measured by the weight of a trophy cabinet that requires its own wing. The list features specialists who mastered the razor-thin margins of the speed skating oval and endurance titans who treated the grueling cross-country trails like their own personal backyard. Some of these legends revolutionized their sports through technical innovation, while others simply out-grinded the competition through sheer force of will.

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As the 2026 Milan Cortina Games continue to add new chapters to Olympic history, the names on this list serve as the ultimate benchmark for greatness. From the biathlon ranges of Norway to the high-speed rinks of the Netherlands, these ten athletes represent the absolute zenith of winter sports achievement. We are counting down the most decorated Winter Olympians in history, descending from the double-digit pioneers to the undisputed queen of the podium.

10. Uschi Disl

The German biathlon legend was known for her blistering speed on skis, which often bailed her out on the shooting range. Over five Olympic Games, she became a cornerstone of the powerhouse German relay teams and an individual icon.​
Stat: 9 total medals (2 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze)

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9. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Gold Record Rank)

While Klæbo currently sits behind the total medal counts of the all-time leaders, his ninth gold medal in 2026 has officially made him the most successful Winter Olympic champion in history.
Stat: 9 Gold Medals (All-time Winter Record)

8. Stefania Belmondo

Italy’s favorite winter daughter was a tireless competitor who thrived in the most grueling distances on the trails. Her ten medals are a testament to her grit, making her a permanent fixture in the history of Mediterranean winter sports.​
Stat: 10 total medals (2 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze)

​7. Raisa Smetanina

A model of cross-country longevity, Smetanina was the first woman to reach the ten-medal milestone in the Winter Games. Her career spanned five Olympics, proving her incredible ability to remain a podium threat across different eras of skiing.​
Stat: 10 total medals (4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze)

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6. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo

The current king of the 2026 Games, Klæbo, has ascended this list at a record pace, recently becoming the all-time Winter Olympic gold medalist. At just 29, his total is expected to grow as he continues his dominance in Milan.
Stat: 11 total medals (9 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)

5. Charlotte Kalla

Sweden’s most prolific female Olympian was a tactical genius in the pursuit and relay events. Her consistency over a decade of elite competition ensured the Swedish flag remained a constant presence at medal ceremonies.​
Stat: 12 total medals (3 gold, 6 silver, 3 bronze)

4. Bjørn Dæhlie

The original “King of Skis,” Dæhlie, was the heartbeat of Norway’s dominance in the 1990s. His twelve medals were earned with a relentless physical style that provided the blueprint for the modern generation of Norwegian cross-country stars.
Stat: 12 total medals (8 gold, 4 silver)

3. Ireen Wüst

The greatest speed skater in history, Wüst, remains the only athlete to win individual gold in five different Olympic Games. Her thirteen medals reflect a career of technical perfection on the ice that few have ever approached.​
Stat: 13 total medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze)​

2. Ole Einar Bjørndalen

Long known as the “King of Biathlon,” Bjørndalen combined elite skiing with ice-cold precision on the range to rack up fourteen pieces of hardware. His dedication was so extreme that he remained a medal threat well into his 40s.
Stat: 14 total medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze)​

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1. Marit Bjørgen

With fifteen medals to her name, Bjørgen remains the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. Her “Iron Lady” reputation was earned through a career of pure dominance, crushing the competition in every cross-country discipline imaginable.
Stat: 15 total medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze)​

A permanent legacy written in the snow

[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 8, 2026; Tesero, Italy; Gold medallist Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway celebrates on the podium after winning the Men’s 10km + 10km Skiathlon during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kai Pfaffenbach-Reuters via Imagn Images

The names on this list represent a level of dedication that transcends simple statistics or a single lucky break. These ten legends have carved their names into Olympic history, proving that true greatness is measured by the ability to return to the summit time and time again. As the torch in Milan Cortina eventually fades, the pursuit of these historic totals will continue to inspire the next generation to chase immortality.

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