NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid has apologized and admitted he regrets confessing to cheating on his ex-girlfriend after winning a bronze medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
“I deeply regret sharing this personal story on what was a day of celebration for Norwegian biathlon,” Laegreid said in a statement released by the Norwegian team on Wednesday.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway reacts after winning bronze as teammate Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold comforts him after the men’s 20-kilometer individual biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“I’m not quite myself these days and I’m 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, against her wishes, found herself in the media spotlight. I hope she is okay. I can’t go back, but I will now put this behind me and concentrate on the Olympics. I will no longer respond to no further questions about this.”
Laegreid first became one of the most viral stories from the Milan Cortina Olympics this week when he admitted to his affair after the men’s biathlon on Tuesday. He held back tears as he shared “the biggest mistake” of his life.
“There is someone I wanted to share it with who might not look 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 I cheated on her,” Laegreid told NRK in Norway.
US ASHLEY FARQUHARSON WINS RARE OLYMPIC LUGE MEDAL AT WINTER GAMES
Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway competes in the men’s 20 kilometer biathlon individual event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
“I told him about it a week ago. It was the worst week of my life.”
He was upset, crying and hugging his friends after the race. During a press conference, he explained why he decided to tell the world about his personal situation on the show.
“This is the choice I made. We make different choices throughout our lives and this is how we do life,” he told a room full of journalists. “So today I made the choice to tell the world what I did, so 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. “Sport has taken a slightly different place in my life in recent days. Yes, I wish I could share it with her.”
Laegreid’s ex-girlfriend indicated she was not willing to take him back in an anonymous interview with a Norwegian media outlet.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Bronze medalist Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway reacts on the podium in the men’s 20km biathlon individual event during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena (Sudtirol Arena) in Anterselva (Val Pusteria), February 10, 2026. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)
“It’s hard to forgive. Even after declaring my love in front of the whole world. I didn’t choose to be in this situation and it hurts to have to be in it. We’ve been in contact and he knows my views on it,” she said. said to VG.
“(I am grateful) to my family and friends who embraced and supported me during this time. Also to everyone who thought of me and sympathized, without knowing who I am.”
