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Norwegian ski athlete Sturla Holm Laegreid has apologized and admitted that he regrets confessing to cheating on his ex-boyfriend after winning a bronze medal at the Cortina Olympics in Milan.
“I deeply regret having shared this personal story on what was a day of celebration for Norwegian biathlon,” Laegreid said in a statement issued by the Norwegian team on Wednesday.
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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)
“I am not quite myself these days, and am not thinking clearly. My apologies go to Johan-Olav (Botn), who deserved all the attention after winning gold. They also go to my ex-girlfriend, who reluctantly ended up in the media spotlight. I hope she is well. I cannot regret that, but I will now put it behind me and will not focus on further questions about the Olympics.”
Laegreid initially became one of the most viral stories from the Milan Cortina Olympics this week when he admitted his affair after the men’s biathlon on Tuesday. 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.
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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)
“I told her about it a week ago. It’s been the worst week of my life.”
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.”
Laegreid’s ex-girlfriend indicated that she was not willing to take him back in an anonymous interview with a Norwegian news outlet.
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Bronze medalist Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid reacts on the podium in the men’s biathlon 20 km individual event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena (Sudtirol Arena) in Anterselva (Val Pusteria) on February 10, 2026. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)
“It’s hard to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world. I didn’t choose to end up in this situation and it hurts to have to be in it. We’ve been in touch and he’s aware of my views on this,” she told 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.”
