Norwegian ski athlete wins third Olympic medal after viral confession

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Sturla Holm Lægreid may have had one of the most bizarre Olympic moments ever, revealing he had an affair with his now ex-boyfriend, but his time at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games continues to go well regardless.

The Norwegian biathlete went viral for a tearful confession saying he cheated on his ex-girlfriend and regretted it after winning bronze in the 20km biathlon.

But Lægreid has won two medals since, including his third on Sunday when he captured silver in the men’s 12.5 kilometer biathlon pursuit.

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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)

However, it has been quite a week for Lægreid as he explained through a tearful toll that he has had the “worst week of his life” due to the weight of what he did in his love life.

“Six months ago I met the love of my life and the most beautiful and kindest person in the world,” he told NRK in Norway after his event. “Three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her and I told her a week ago.”

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Sturla Holm Laegreid of Team Norway competes in the men’s 20 km individual medley on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena on February 10, 2026 in Antholz-Anterselva, Italy. (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

He cried and hugged friends after the race, and followed his initial comments with more during a press conference.

“That was the choice I made,” he said of revealing the information in the broadcast. “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.”

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Lægreid said a day later that he “profoundly regrets” that he revealed the very personal detail of his life on live television, revealing a private matter in one of the most public ways possible.

“I’m not quite myself these days and not thinking clearly,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “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 can’t regret it, but I will now put it behind me and focus on the Olympics. I will not answer any further questions about this.”

Lægreid remained in the headlines all week, although it was due to his performance at the Milan Cortina Games, securing a bronze medal in the men’s 10km sprint on Friday.

Gold medalist Martin Ponsiluoma of Team Sweden, silver medalist Sturla Holm Laegreid of Team Norway and bronze medalist Emilien Jacquelin of Team France celebrate after the men’s Biathlon 12.5 km pursuit on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Anterselva Biathlon Arena 15, Ansel on Feb. 20. Italy. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The Norwegian is a six-time world champion, and while this is something entirely different in terms of adversity, he is clearly still performing well, not on the biggest world stage in Italy this week.

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