Olympics Jerk Watch is a long-running feature that subjectively rates the jerkiness (or lack thereof) of the Games’ biggest stars. Read more of Slate’s 2026 Olympics coverage here.
Nominee: Sturla Holm Lægreid
Home country: Norway
Known for: Winning biathlon medals, infidelity, and publicly expressing regret
Why he might be a jerk: During the Milan Cortina Games, Team Norway secured two of the top three places in the men’s 20-kilometer individual biathlon, with Lægreid taking bronze. Biathlon enjoys great popularity in Norway, prompting national broadcaster NRK to seek him out for an interview immediately after the race.
Unlike the typical American post-game interviews, which often lean towards common platitudes, Lægreid took a different approach. Just moments into his interview, he revealed that he had cheated on his girlfriend (his statements were translated via Google Translate).
“Six months ago, I encountered the love of my life—an incredible person. Three months back, I made the biggest mistake of my life by cheating on her,” he said, clearly emotional. He explained that he had confessed to his girlfriend about his infidelity a week prior. “I’m not entirely certain why I’m sharing this now, but sports have taken a backseat lately. I wish I could share this with her,” he expressed. Evidently, he found a way to do so on national television.
As a journalist, I often yearn for candid post-race interviews, but I was acutely aware during this one that his actions came off as remarkably inconsiderate.
First and foremost, cheating is undeniably wrong. Drawing from the Ten Commandments, one could argue, “If you cheat, then you are a jerk.” (This is a paraphrase, of course.)
Secondly, Lægreid’s emotional breakdown over a relationship that had lasted merely six months seemed a bit exaggerated. While love at first sight can be portrayed in media, it raises the question of whether someone who becomes overly fixated on a new acquaintance is truly in love or merely enamored with the notion of love itself. Individuals who conflate the two may sometimes appear self-centered—an unfortunate trait often associated with jerks.
Thirdly, his confession came off as somewhat contrived, resembling a grand romantic gesture. Such overt displays, like the cringe-worthy antics seen in romantic comedies, are often more about the performer than the intended recipient. This self-centered behavior can indeed be labeled as jerk-like, especially when the feelings of others are sidelined.
Fourthly, Lægreid’s interview inadvertently overshadowed his teammate Johan-Olav Botn, who had just celebrated a gold medal win at his first Olympic Games. Analysts on NRK expressed their shock at Lægreid’s poor timing, with biathlon great Johannes Thingnes Bø noting, “This was the wrong action; we saw a repentant boy standing there. Unfortunately, both the time and place were completely wrong.”
In subsequent press conferences, Lægreid continued to face questions that revolved around the same theme, such as, What were you thinking? He doubled down in his response: “I have nothing to lose. I had a chance at true love and squandered it. It’s not necessarily something I can be forgiven for. But if this gives me a tiny chance to convey my feelings to her, I’d rather commit social suicide on live TV to seize that opportunity,” he stated. Mission accomplished, it seems!
Despite knowing little about Sturla Holm Lægreid prior to this event, it is worth noting that he did not just appear on the medal podium out of nowhere. Earlier in 2023, he was banned from competing in the Biathlon World Cup after an accidental discharge of his firearm in a team hotel.
In response to that incident, he stated, “I sincerely apologize to the entire biathlon community, my teammates, and the hotel owner for what transpired,” presumably with tears in his eyes. It would have been commendable had he extended a similar apology following his bronze medal achievement.
Why he might not be a jerk: There’s a perspective suggesting that Lægreid may simply be an emotionally expressive individual who doesn’t fully consider his words. Johannes Thingnes Bø commented on NRK, noting, “With Sturla, emotions are vividly visible. He can’t conceal them. I think they burst out without prior contemplation.” Speaking impulsively might be indicative of jerk-like behavior, yet it’s also a common trait among many.
Imagine holding a confession that has been troubling you for an extended period, coupled with the immense pressure of competing in the Olympics. If approached by a reporter immediately after such a significant achievement, it’s easy to see how one might blurt out something inappropriate, breaking social norms. In such moments, one might even exclaim something entirely unexpected.
As someone who frequently participates in podcasts and radio shows, I find myself surprised by the anecdotes and thoughts that escape my lips. We all have moments when we say things we don’t intend to. However, Lægreid did manage to break away from clichés to make headlines with his post-race remarks. His controversy certainly garnered attention at a time when media outlets face challenges.
Interestingly, Lægreid later recognized that he had overshadowed Botn’s achievement. “In hindsight, I see that this was Johan’s day, and it’s unfortunate that this received so much attention,” he stated in a joint press conference with the gold medalist. “I apologize if I detracted from your moment.”
True jerks seldom extend apologies, especially for overshadowing others.
Lægreid also deserves a bit of credit for not revealing the name of the woman involved in his infidelity. Additionally, a video surfaced showcasing him as appealing in a segment titled “More Than a Biathlete.” As an insightful commenter pointed out, “Not the best day to publish that video.”
In the aforementioned video, Lægreid mentioned that he securely stores his medals in a cabinet to avoid complacency. “Gazing at my awards won’t spur improvement,” he shared. The segment also features him playing his electric guitar, which he takes along on biathlon trips. “Sturla is a bit of a rock-and-roller,” as his coach humorously pointed out. Rock musicians, after all, are not typically labeled as jerks.
Jerk score: At Olympics Jerk Watch, we evaluate candidates on style, technical skill, and overall impact. I would rate Sturla Holm Lægreid 2.5 out of 3 for style, deducting slightly for not delivering his public apology via well-crafted poster board signs. For technical merit, he receives 2 out of 3 points because turning his public expression of remorse into a marriage proposal would have been even more inconsiderate. As for execution, 1.5 out of 3 points for delivering his interviews in a language not everyone understands. Lastly, a full 1 out of 1 points for drawing criticism from biathlon great Johannes Thingnes Bø. Overall, he scores 7 out of 10. Next!
Previously on Olympics Jerk Watch:
The Snowboarder Who Puts the “Extreme” in “Extremely Wanted Fugitive”
The Dutch Speedskater Who’s Engaged to One of the Most Irritating Men on Earth
Key Takeaways
- Sturla Holm Lægreid, a Norwegian biathlete, stirred controversy during the Milan Cortina Games by discussing his infidelity during a live interview.
- His emotional confession overshadowed his teammate Johan-Olav Botn’s gold medal achievement, prompting criticism for poor timing.
- Lægreid’s actions raise questions about the sincerity and appropriateness of public admissions of personal mistakes.
- While some see him as emotional and impulsive, others view his behavior as self-centered and inconsiderate.
- Despite the controversy, he later acknowledged his teammate’s accomplishments, reflecting a degree of awareness.
FAQ
What prompted Sturla Holm Lægreid’s confession during the interview?
He revealed that he had cheated on his girlfriend shortly after winning a bronze medal, expressing deep emotional regret.
How did Lægreid’s confession affect his teammate?
His confession overshadowed Johan-Olav Botn’s gold medal win, drawing criticism for detracting attention from his teammate’s success.
Did Lægreid apologize for his actions during the interview?
He acknowledged that his announcement could have detracted from others’ achievements, stating that he was sorry for taking attention away from Botn’s moment.
What was Lægreid’s reaction to the fallout from his confession?
In later interviews, he expressed regret for the timing and impact of his remarks, indicating he understood the social implications of his actions.
How is Lægreid viewed in the context of his emotional display?
Opinions are divided; some view him as overly emotional and sincere, while others believe his actions were self-serving and inconsiderate.
