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The ex-girlfriend of Norwegian Olympic champion Sturla Holm Laegreid spoke out after the skier apologized for his transgressions after an event at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday.
Laegreid volunteered that he cheated on the woman three months into their six-month relationship. She didn’t seem open to taking him back when she spoke to a Norwegian media outlet.
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Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway reacts after winning bronze as teammate Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold consoles him after the men’s 20-kilometer individual biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“It is difficult to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world. I did not choose to end up in this situation, and it hurts to have to be in it. We have been in contact, and he is aware of my views on this,” she says to VG.
“(I am grateful) to my family and friends who have embraced me and supported me during this time. Also to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathized without knowing who I am.”
The woman asked the business to remain anonymous.
The Norwegian biathlete grabbed a bronze medal in the biathlon event. He fought back tears as he shared the “biggest mistake” of his life.
“There is someone I would like to share it with, who may not see today. Six months ago I met the love of my life – the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. Three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her,” says Laegreid to NRK in Norway.
Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway poses with the bronze medal for the men’s 20 kilometer individual biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
“I told her about it a week ago. It’s been the worst week of my life.”
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Laegreid referred to the woman as his “gold medal in my life.” He was actually part of the relay team that won gold at the Beijing Olympics.
But instead of celebrating Tuesday, he was distraught, crying and hugging friends after the race. During a press conference, he explained why he decided to tell the world about his personal situation in the broadcast.
“That was the choice I made. We make different choices throughout our lives and that’s how we make life,” he told a room full of reporters. “So today I made a choice to tell the world what I did so maybe, maybe there’s a chance she’ll see what she really means to me. Maybe not.”
“There are probably many who look at me with different eyes, but I only have eyes for her,” he added. “The sport has taken a slightly different place in my life these past few days. Yes, I wish I could share it with her.”
In a separate media availability, Laegreid appeared to regret giving the interview as he believed he may have overtaken gold medalist Johan-Olav Botn, his Norwegian teammate.
Sturla Holm Laegreid, of Norway, competes in the men’s 20-kilometer individual biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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“Now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day. Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. So yeah, I don’t know. I was, I’m a little, I don’t know… I’m not really here mentally. So yeah, we’ll see what happens.”
