Olympic medallist Sturla Holm Lægreid admitted he is yet to hear from his girlfriend after admitting to cheating on her in a live television interview.
The Norwegian biathlete took home the bronze medal on Tuesday in the men’s 20km Individual race in the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
Despite his triumph, Lægreid was overcome by emotion after he admitted to being unfaithful to his girlfriend of six months while being interviewed after his big win.
Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Lægreid confessed: ‘There’s someone I wanted to share this with who might not be watching today.
‘Six months ago, I met the love of my life and the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. And three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her,’ the 28-year-old lamented.
The Olympian explained that he had told his girlfriend about his infidelity a week ago.
Sturla Holm Lægreid admitted he is yet to hear from his girlfriend after confessing on air that he had cheated on her after winning Olympic bronze
Lægreid had given an emotional interview to Norwegian television following his event
The tearful biathlete admitted to cheating on his girlfriend of six months, having told her in person a week ago
Lægreid added that it had been the ‘the worst week of my life,’ before tearfully declaring: ‘I had a gold medal in my life…I only have eyes for her. I don’t know what I want to achieve by saying this…I wish I could share it with her.’
The Olympian went on to say that he wanted to be a ‘good role model’, but that ‘I have to admit when I make mistakes.
Lægreid was asked at a press conference later in the day whether he had heard from his girlfriend following his emotional comments on television.
‘I haven’t got any reactions from the girl I mentioned,’ Lægreid said.
‘I am happy because maybe she has not seen it and maybe she will see it at the right time.
‘I hope I don’t make it worse for her. Maybe it can help, I don’t know. We will see.’
Lægreid had been seen crying on camera as he made his shocking confession following his medal win.
After calming down, the biathlete continued, telling the NRK broadcaster he was willing to drop a metaphorical ‘nuclear bomb’ during the interview to try and win his girlfriend back.
Join the debate
Should public confessions of infidelity earn forgiveness or make things worse for relationships?
Sturla Holm Laegreid is embraced by Norwegian team-mate Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold
Lægreid was still emotional after his television confession
‘Because I am already hated by her, and I hope that maybe it can make her realise how much I love her,’ he added.
When asked about the identity of his girlfriend, the sportsman refused to reveal her name out of respect.
‘She’s probably still processing last week’s message, but I hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel for both of us. And that she can still love me,’ he declared.
Lægreid revealed that he decided to go public about his infidelity the night before his big race, telling the television channel: ‘Last night I had a kind of revelation that I should drop this bomb… Then we’ll see what happens. I have nothing to lose.’
Lægreid’s teammate, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, later revealed to the broadcaster that the bronze medalist had told him about his infidelity, saying: ‘We have known that, yes. I don’t have many comments about it now. It’s good that he is open about it, and if he wants to talk about things, that’s fine.’
Another teammate, Martin Uldal, said he was not aware of Lægreid’s situation.
‘I’ve noticed a little bit about him, that he’s been a little different, but I haven’t really known why. I’ve thought it might just be a bit of nerves. It’s very sad to hear. Really tough, tough situation,’ he said.
In an interview last year, he said he had refused to hug his girlfriend for two months while preparing for the World Championships. It is not clear if this was the same girlfriend.
Eric Perrot of France, Johan-Olav Botn of Norway and Sturla Holm Lægreid of Norway celebrate with their medals after competing men’s biathlon 20 km individual during day 4 of the 2026 Winter Olympics
Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid men’s distance race 20km biathlon during the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina in Anterselva, Italy
Speaking to Norwegian news outlet Madshus, he said at the time: ‘I haven’t hugged my girlfriend since the Lavaze training camp before the World Championships. I didn’t dare hug her, and the last week, she hasn’t been allowed to stay in the apartment.’
He also described himself as an ‘old-school psycho,’ explaining that he was doing everything he could to ‘avoid people and getting sick’.
‘I’ve been living alone, making my own food, not going to the grocery store since I came home,’ Lægreid added.
Viewers were quick to react to the sportman’s TV interview on Tuesday, with one X user commenting: ‘Here, the heartbreak runs so deep that he desperately tries to win back his love in true Hollywood style. I salute the man!’
Others mocked the athlete’s dramatic interview, with one social media user writing: ‘Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen…You never win back ladies this way. Only on film, never in real life.’
The admission comes after he won his first-ever Olympic bronze in a nerve-jangling men’s 20km individual biathlon race at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, compatriot Johan-Olav Botn stormed through the final lap to win an emotionally charged Olympic gold medal, while Eric Perrot of France came in second, 14.8 seconds behind the winner, to secure the silver medal.
Laegreid made the most of a good day on the range, hitting 19 of 20 shots to sweep into the bronze medal position ahead of Finland’s vastly experienced Olli Hiidensalo, 48.3 seconds behind the winner Botn.
Sturla Holm Lægreid of Norway celebrates with his bronze medal
Lægreid had a tough season during the World Cup and was dropped from the mixed relay in the Olympics.
Just a day before securing bronze at the Winter Olympics, he admitted that he did not have high expectations for himself.
Speaking to NRK on Monday, he said: ‘I won’t hide the fact that I don’t have high expectations for myself.
‘But I also understand that I’m kind of an underdog now after the way the season has been. I wouldn’t have imagined being in a position like this, but maybe this is the chance I have at the Olympics to win a medal.’