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.
The Philippine foreign ministry on Wednesday (11 February) called on the Chinese Embassy in Manila to adopt a “constructive” tone in its statement...
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, ...
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
The Philippine foreign ministry on Wednesday (11 February) called on the Chinese Embassy in Manila to adopt a “constructive” tone in its statements, amid an intensifying war of words between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials, including senators.
Kyiv is preparing to outline a simultaneous return to the ballot box and a public vote on a potential peace settlement, marking a pivotal shift in the country's political landscape four years into the conflict.
Mexican Alpine skier Lasse Gaxiola will have his mother for company on his Olympic debut but she will not be cheering him from the finish area in Saturday's giant slalom in Bormio because she will be three hours away preparing her own race.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
JD Vance arrived in Armenia on Monday (9 February), becoming the first sitting U.S. Vice President to visit the country, as Yerevan and Washington agreed to cooperate in the civil nuclear sector in a bid to deepen engagement in the South Caucasus.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
António José Seguro’s decisive victory over far-right challenger André Ventura marks an historic moment in Portuguese politics, but analysts caution that the result does not amount to a rejection of populism.
Buckingham Palace said it is ready to support any police investigation into allegations that Prince Andrew shared confidential British trade documents with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as King Charles expressed “profound concern” over the latest revelations.
Iran’s atomic energy chief says Tehran could dilute uranium enriched to 60 per cent if all international sanctions are lifted, stressing that technical nuclear issues are being discussed alongside political matters in ongoing negotiations.
The Philippine foreign ministry on Wednesday (11 February) called on the Chinese Embassy in Manila to adopt a “constructive” tone in its statements, amid an intensifying war of words between Chinese diplomats and Philippine officials, including senators.
Kyiv is preparing to outline a simultaneous return to the ballot box and a public vote on a potential peace settlement, marking a pivotal shift in the country's political landscape four years into the conflict.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A proposed multinational peacekeeping force for Gaza could involve around 20,000 personnel, with Indonesia estimating it may contribute up to 8,000, a spokesman for Prabowo Subianto said on Tuesday.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington could deploy a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East if nuclear negotiations with Iran collapse, warning of tougher action if no deal is reached.
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