Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid, who won bronze in the men’s biathlon at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday (10 February) in Italy, stunned viewers by publicly admitting he had cheated on his girlfriend and pleaded for another chance during post-race interviews.
Speaking to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK after the race, won by compatriot Johan-Olav Botn, with France’s Eric Perrot taking silver, 28-year-old Laegreid became tearful as he revealed he had confessed the infidelity to his partner a week earlier.
“Three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her,” he said, “It’s been the worst week of my life.”
He later told Norwegian newspaper VG that he decided to go public because he “couldn’t live his whole life keeping it a secret,” adding, “I have nothing to lose.”
His former girlfriend, who asked to remain anonymous, told VG on Wednesday that forgiveness would not be easy.
“It’s hard to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world,” she said, adding that she had not chosen to be put in such a position.
Laegreid, without naming her, compared losing the relationship to losing a gold medal. “I had a gold medal in my life… I only have eyes for her,” he said.
The emotional disclosure came weeks after the death of teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken in December, which Laegreid said had affected him deeply. He later questioned whether the timing of his confession had overshadowed Botn’s victory, calling his actions “maybe really selfish.”
NRK biathlon expert and former teammate Johannes Thingnes Boe said he was shocked.
“The time, place and timing are all wrong,” Boe said, describing Laegreid as visibly repentant but overwhelmed.
Laegreid later reiterated to VG that he was “not ready to give up” and was prepared to face the consequences of his actions.
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Both the United States and Iran are giving conflicting messages about trying to end the conflict in the Middle East, meanwhile Pakistan has offered to be a mediator and a reported 15 point plan has been sent to Tehran. Welcome to AnewZ's coverage of the tensions in the Middle East.
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Hungary will gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine until oil deliveries resume via the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Wednesday.
NASA announced on Tuesday it has cancelled plans to deploy a space station in lunar orbit and will instead use components from the project to build a $20 billion base on the moon's surface, while also planning to send a nuclear-powered spacecraft to Mars.
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Afghan authorities say Pakistani jets entered northern Afghanistan, while Pakistan insists its actions target terrorism, highlighting continued strain after a temporary Eid ceasefire ended.
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Both the United States and Iran are giving conflicting messages about trying to end the conflict in the Middle East, meanwhile Pakistan has offered to be a mediator and a reported 15 point plan has been sent to Tehran. Welcome to AnewZ's coverage of the tensions in the Middle East.
Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a threat to bomb the Islamic Republic's power grid because of what he described as productive talks with Iranian officials.
The UK government is to trial social media bans, curfews and app time limits in the homes of 300 teenagers, as part of a wider consultation on restricting under-16s’ access to platforms and improving online safety.
Hungary will gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine until oil deliveries resume via the Druzhba pipeline, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Wednesday.
British police said they arrested two men in connection with the suspected antisemitic arson attack on four Jewish community ambulances in north London earlier this week.
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Moldova's parliament approved the introduction of a 60-day energy state of emergency after Russian attacks in neighbouring Ukraine knocked out of service a power line providing most of the country's energy. Deputies approved the measure with 72 votes in favour in the 101-member chamber.
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