Norway has established itself as a dominant force in the Winter Olympics, particularly in cross-country skiing, achieving notable medal counts in recent Games.
Norway is recognized as the powerhouse of the Winter Olympics, ranking at the top in medal counts in the 2018 PyeongChang and 2022 Beijing Games. The country holds the record for the most medals and golds in history, highlighting its exceptional proficiency in winter sports, especially skiing. This proficiency is often reflected in the nickname given to Norway as the 'land where people are born on skis,' showcasing their unparalleled skill in various skiing disciplines.
Cross-country skiing, regarded as the fundamental ski sport, serves as a significant contributor to Norway's medal haul. In major competitions, such as the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Norway secured 11 medals, with five being gold, while the 2018 PyeongChang Games brought them 14 medals, seven of which were gold. With about 30% of the total medals available from this discipline claimed by Norway, athletes have continued to perform admirably, even in the recent 2022 Beijing Olympics where they topped the gold medal count.
With the ongoing Milano-Cortina d'Ampezzo Games, Norway has already won two golds and three bronzes in cross-country skiing, placing them at the forefront of the national rankings. The dominance of Norway in cross-country skiing is not coincidental; it reflects the country's historical connection to the sport, which originated from survival techniques in snowy terrains. The sport began to gain international recognition after explorer Fridtjof Nansen crossed the Greenland ice sheet in 1888, further cementing Norway's legacy in the skiing world.
