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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