Winter Olympics star sparks fury from teammates after admitting to cheating on his girlfriend
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid has treated his entire national team to dinner and delivered a grovelling apology for eclipsing teammate Johan-Olav Botn’s Olympic gold medal triumph with his viral television confession about infidelity.
The 28-year-old bronze medallist addressed Team Norway on Thursday, acknowledging he had stolen the spotlight from Botn’s victory in the men’s 20km Individual race.
“I wanted to speak in front of everyone and apologise to everyone,” Lægreid told VG Sport.
“I said it had been a tough week and that I hadn’t been myself.”
He added: “I hadn’t thought through what I did well enough. I apologised to everyone who was dragged in.
“Especially to Johan-Olav (Botn), who had the moment he deserved to enjoy, without me having to say what I said.”
The drama unfolded on Tuesday when Lægreid claimed bronze but became overwhelmed during his post-race interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid has treated his entire national team to dinner and delivered a grovelling apology for eclipsing teammate Johan-Olav Botn’s Olympic gold medal triumph with his viral television confession about infidelity
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“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,” he confessed tearfully.
His emotional outburst, which has become one of the Winter Olympics’ most talked-about moments, overshadowed Botn’s gold medal win just a minute earlier.
The 26-year-old champion had intended to dedicate his victory to late teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, whom he discovered dead in a hotel room merely two months before the Games.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid won bronze earlier this week
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The confession sparked fierce backlash from Norwegian biathlon royalty, with legend Ole Einar Bjorndalen condemning Lægreid’s actions in the strongest terms.
“Should I be honest? Crazy selfish. It’s shocking,” Bjorndalen said.
“Norway wins an Olympic gold medal, and he takes his first bronze medal.
“That he has cheated on his greatest love… that’s kind of his problem.”
The eight-time Olympic champion made clear where the nation’s attention should lie.
“He probably hopes to win her back and will do everything for it, but I don’t need to know anything about it. Only a few people do, and that’s his problem,” Bjorndalen continued.
Sturla Holm Lægreid has been one of the biggest talking points of the Winter Olympics
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“Today we’re going to pay tribute to Botn. We’re not going to pay tribute to Sturla’s frustrated love life.”
Lægreid’s ex-girlfriend, who wishes to remain anonymous, responded on Wednesday with a blunt assessment of his grand gesture.
“Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world, it’s hard to forgive,” she wrote to a Norwegian newspaper. “I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it.”
Norway’s biathlon coach Siegfried Mazet acknowledged the team’s surprise at the timing, noting Lægreid later recognised it was not the appropriate moment.
Despite the widespread criticism, Lægreid remains unrepentant about what he termed “social suicide” on live television.
“It’s a declaration of love to commit social suicide on TV. She’s the only one I want,” he said.
