In a stunning turn of events at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid secured a bronze medal in the men’s 20km individual event, only to immediately transform his triumph into turmoil with a tearful live-television confession of infidelity.
Moments after finishing, the 28-year-old broke down during an NRK interview, revealing a crisis that peaked just days before the race.
“Six months ago, I met the love of my life—the world’s most beautiful, sweetest person,” Lægreid sobbed. “Three months ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her.” Describing it as the “worst week of my life,” Lægreid admitted he had only confessed to his partner a week prior.
In what he later called a move of “social suicide,” he claimed he went public in a desperate attempt to prove his devotion and win her back.
The outburst drew immediate backlash from his ex-girlfriend, who told the tabloid VG, “It’s hard to forgive, even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world.”
She blasted him for dragging their heartbreak into the spotlight, noting she did not choose to be in this position.
Teammate Johannes Thingnes Bø also criticised the timing, calling the venue “entirely inappropriate.”
The following day, Lægreid issued a formal apology for distracting from the gold-medal win of teammate Johan-Olav Botn.
“I deeply regret bringing up this personal story on what was a joyous day for Norwegian biathlon,” he stated, adding he was “not thinking clearly.”
Extending apologies to his ex for the unwanted media attention, Lægreid signaled his intent to withdraw his private life from the public eye.