An emotional moment unfolded during the Winter Olympics when a Norwegian biathlete used his victory as an opportunity to address personal issues, promising to make amends with his former partner.
During a heartfelt interview following his bronze medal win in the men’s 20 km. biathlon at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Tuesday, Sturla Holm Lægreid made a surprising personal revelation.
He disclosed that three months prior, he had betrayed “the love of [his] life, the most beautiful and kindest person.”
“I told her a week ago. And it’s been the worst week of my life,” he told Norwegian Broadcasting Corp. (NRK). “I had a gold medal in life, and there’s probably a lot of people out there who look at me differently now, but I only have eyes for her. Sports has taken a bit of a back seat these past couple of days. Yeah, I wish I could share this with her.”
Lægreid, 28, initiated the conversation by expressing his desire to share his victory with someone “who might not be watching today.”
Without mentioning his former girlfriend by name, he revealed that they had met six months ago, but their relationship ended when he confessed to his infidelity.
“I’m not ready to give up. I hope that committing social suicide [like this] might show her how much I love her,” Lægreid said. “I accept the consequences of what I’ve done. I regret it with all my heart. Maybe I’m dumb as a rock. I’m a member of Mensa, but I still do stupid stuff.”
He went on to express, “I’ve realized that this is the woman of my life, and I can’t live my whole life keeping that from her. My only path to the finish line is to tell her everything and put it all on the table, hoping she’ll still love me. I’ve done that for her, and now for the entire world. I have nothing to lose.”
His public plea quickly gained traction online, eliciting curiosity and astonishment. One Swedish sports journalist described it as the “strangest medal interview I’ve seen.”
“Put this in the post-race interview hall of fame,” a sportswriter remarked on X.
“New most bizarre moment of the Olympics just dropped,” another user on X stated.
“Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t think telling the world you cheated on your girlfriend right after you win an Olympic medal is the best idea,” added another X user.
This Winter Olympics followed closely after the tragic death of Lægreid’s teammate, Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who died during a training camp in Italy. Lægreid had previously paid tribute to Bakken on Instagram at that time.
I’m a member of Mensa, but I still do stupid stuff
– Olympian Sturla Holm Lægreid
Lægreid is a six-time Biathlon World Champion and a relay gold medalist from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. His bronze medal on Tuesday marks his first Olympic accolade this year.
When questioned about how he secured the bronze amidst a challenging week, Lægreid shared that a motivational video sent by his club back home helped him.
“I want to be a good role model, but I have to own up to my mistakes,” he stated. “You have to recognize when you’ve done something you can’t defend and have hurt someone you deeply love.”
In discussing his infidelity, Lægreid’s teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal mentioned that some of their fellow athletes were aware of the situation.
“Yeah, we knew. I don’t have much to say about it,” Dale-Skjevdal told NRK. “It’s good that he’s open about it, and if he wants to talk about things, that’s fine, but I think it’s difficult for me to comment on now.”
Conversely, Martin Uldal was unaware of the issue, stating, “I’ve noticed that he’s been acting differently, but I didn’t really know why. I thought it was maybe just nerves. I’m very sad to hear it. It’s a really tough situation. We will comfort him.”
Johan-Olav Botn, who secured gold in Lægreid’s event, remarked that the matter is “none of [his] business,” and emphasized that his own win was “first and foremost a personal and emotional victory” — to which Lægreid promptly interjected to apologize.
“Sorry if I ruined your day,” Lægreid said. “But I think he understands. I don’t want to steal the limelight today.”
At a press conference, Lægreid expressed, “I don’t know if it’s the right choice or not, but it was the choice I made.”
“So today I made the choice to tell the world what I did, so maybe there is a chance that she will see what she really means to me,” he said. “And maybe not. But I don’t want to think I didn’t try everything to get her back.”
Key Takeaways
- Sturla Holm Lægreid won a bronze medal in the men’s 20 km. biathlon at the 2026 Olympics.
- He publicly acknowledged his infidelity during a post-race interview.
- Lægreid hopes to reconcile with his ex-girlfriend, whom he refers to as “the love of [his] life.”
- His candid remarks generated significant online reaction and commentary.
- The Winter Olympics occurred shortly after the death of his teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken.
FAQ
What did Sturla Holm Lægreid reveal in his interview?
He confessed to cheating on his ex-girlfriend shortly before winning a bronze medal and expressed his desire to reconcile.
How did fellow athletes react to Lægreid’s situation?
Some athletes were aware of his infidelity, while others mentioned noticing a change in his behavior.
What is Lægreid’s athletic background?
He is a six-time Biathlon World Champion and a gold medalist from the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
What motivated Lægreid to speak publicly about his personal issues?
He felt it was essential to be honest about his mistakes and show his love for his former partner, hoping for a chance at reconciliation.
Did Lægreid receive support from his team during the Olympics?
Yes, his club sent him motivational videos to inspire him despite the emotional turmoil he was experiencing.
