Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid confessed on live television that he cheated on his now ex-girlfriend, minutes after taking bronze in the men\u2019s 20 km individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 28-year-old told Norway\u2019s public broadcaster NRK that the affair happened three months ago and called it his \u201cbiggest mistake.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201clove of [his] life\u201d and said sport had come second in recent days. In a later interview with Norwegian outlet VG, he added that \u201cthe only way to solve it is to tell everything and put everything on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting; the 20 km individual penalizes each missed shot by adding one minute to an athlete\u2019s time. Laegreid\u2019s bronze marked his first individual Olympic medal, two years after he won relay gold at the Beijing Games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The race itself was won by teammate Johan-Olav Botn, who shot clean to take gold ahead of France\u2019s \u00c9ric 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\u2019s day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laegreid said he had already told his partner about the infidelity a week earlier. He chose to repeat it publicly so he would not \u201clook back\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In commentary on NRK, five-time Olympic champion and biathlon expert Johannes Thingnes B\u00f8 questioned the timing. He called the place and moment \u201ccompletely wrong,\u201d while acknowledging Laegreid\u2019s remorse. The debate over timing has since spread across Norwegian and international coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International outlets quickly amplified the clip from NRK. Coverage highlighted Laegreid\u2019s quotes about the affair happening three months prior and his hope for reconciliation. Follow-up reports also noted his concern about not \u201cstealing the show\u201d from Botn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Norway\u2019s VG reported that Laegreid wants \u201ceverything on the table,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laegreid is a seven-time world champion and a central figure in Norway\u2019s biathlon team. His public admission adds an unusual off-track storyline to an Olympic campaign led on the course by Botn\u2019s victory. The sports implications remain limited for now: the International Biathlon Union calendar continues, and Laegreid\u2019s next races will draw attention to how he manages intense scrutiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The episode underscores how the Olympics can magnify personal moments well beyond the field of play. Laegreid\u2019s 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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid confessed on live television that he cheated on his now ex-girlfriend, minutes after taking bronze in the men\u2019s 20 km individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 28-year-old told Norway\u2019s public broadcaster NRK that the affair happened three months ago and called it his \u201cbiggest mistake.\u201d He said the past […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-844","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n