Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid secured a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics only to overshadow his athletic achievement with a heartfelt confession of infidelity during a live television interview. In a stunning moment that captivated audiences, the 28-year-old admitted to cheating on his girlfriend three months ago, expressing hope that his public apology might mend their fractured relationship.
Lægreid earned his first individual Olympic medal in the men’s 20-kilometer biathlon event at the Milan-Cortina Games on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Competing against a field of elite athletes, he finished third behind fellow Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn, who claimed gold, and France’s Eric Perrot, who took silver. The race combined cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, with Lægreid missing only one target to secure his podium place.
Immediately after the medal ceremony, during an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Lægreid diverted from sports talk to address his personal life. Choked with emotion, he revealed that six months prior he had met ‘the love of my life,’ but three months ago he made ‘the biggest mistake of my life’ by being unfaithful. He described the past week as ‘the worst of my life’ since confessing to his girlfriend privately, which led to their breakup.
The athlete explained his motive for the public disclosure, telling Norwegian newspaper VG that he hoped ‘committing social suicide’ would demonstrate the depth of his feelings and persuade his ex-girlfriend to reconsider. ‘I have nothing to lose,’ he stated, adding that he wanted to ‘put everything on the table’ in hopes that ‘she can still love me.’ Lægreid emphasized that sport had taken a backseat in recent days, and his primary wish was to share his Olympic moment with her.
Reactions from the sports community were mixed. Five-time Olympic champion Johannes Thingnes Boe, now a biathlon expert, criticized the timing, calling it ‘wrong’ and noting that ‘the time, place and timing are all wrong.’ However, he acknowledged Lægreid’s repentance. Meanwhile, gold medalist Botn dedicated his victory to late teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who was found dead in December, adding a layer of solemnity to the day’s events.
Lægreid, a seven-time world champion and gold medalist in the 2022 relay, expressed concern that his confession might detract from others’ achievements. ‘I don’t want to steal the show,’ he said in a later news conference, hoping the attention would fade quickly. He framed his actions as an attempt to be transparent and a better role model, stating, ‘I want to be a good role model, but I have to admit when I make mistakes.’
The incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of personal and professional lives in high-pressure sports. While some question the appropriateness of using an Olympic platform for personal matters, others see it as a raw display of vulnerability. Lægreid’s confession underscores the emotional weight athletes carry beyond competition, highlighting how personal struggles can eclipse even the brightest sporting moments.
As the Winter Olympics continue, Lægreid’s story serves as a reminder of the human stories behind the medals. Whether his public plea will heal his relationship remains uncertain, but his bronze medal win is now indelibly linked to a moment of personal reckoning that transcended sport.
