Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid confessed on live television that he cheated on his now ex-girlfriend, minutes after taking bronze in the men’s 20 km individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 28-year-old told Norway’s public broadcaster NRK that the affair happened three months ago and called it his “biggest mistake.” He said the past week had been the worst of his life since telling his partner and that he hoped speaking openly would show his remorse.
A podium, then a public mea culpa
Laegreid delivered the admission in the mixed zone in Anterselva, Italy, where the individual event took place on 10 February 2026. He described his ex as the “love of [his] life” and said sport had come second in recent days. In a later interview with Norwegian outlet VG, he added that “the only way to solve it is to tell everything and put everything on the table.”
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting; the 20 km individual penalizes each missed shot by adding one minute to an athlete’s time. Laegreid’s bronze marked his first individual Olympic medal, two years after he won relay gold at the Beijing Games.
Event context: Botn’s gold and a charged atmosphere
The race itself was won by teammate Johan-Olav Botn, who shot clean to take gold ahead of France’s Éric Perrot. Officials staged the individual at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena, one of the biathlon strongholds on the circuit. After his interview, Laegreid told reporters he hoped he had not overshadowed Botn’s day.
Several Norwegian outlets noted the emotional backdrop for the team following the recent death of former teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, whom Botn honored after his victory.
Why Sturla Holm Laegreid spoke now
Laegreid said he had already told his partner about the infidelity a week earlier. He chose to repeat it publicly so he would not “look back” and feel he had not tried everything to repair the relationship. He also said he wants to be a good role model, which for him includes admitting serious mistakes in public.
In commentary on NRK, five-time Olympic champion and biathlon expert Johannes Thingnes Bø questioned the timing. He called the place and moment “completely wrong,” while acknowledging Laegreid’s remorse. The debate over timing has since spread across Norwegian and international coverage.
Reactions from media and the athlete’s circle
International outlets quickly amplified the clip from NRK. Coverage highlighted Laegreid’s quotes about the affair happening three months prior and his hope for reconciliation. Follow-up reports also noted his concern about not “stealing the show” from Botn.
Norway’s VG reported that Laegreid wants “everything on the table,” while other reports said his ex-girlfriend remains anonymous. Some coverage relayed that reconciliation appears unlikely, based on comments attributed to her by Norwegian media. However, she has not been named publicly.
What this means for Norway’s star biathlete
Laegreid is a seven-time world champion and a central figure in Norway’s biathlon team. His public admission adds an unusual off-track storyline to an Olympic campaign led on the course by Botn’s victory. The sports implications remain limited for now: the International Biathlon Union calendar continues, and Laegreid’s next races will draw attention to how he manages intense scrutiny.
The episode underscores how the Olympics can magnify personal moments well beyond the field of play. Laegreid’s words now form part of the Games narrative, while results and schedules move on. The athlete has said he does not know if speaking out was the right choice, only that he made it and will live with it
