Ex-Girlfriend of Olympian Who Confessed to Cheating on Live TV Speaks Out as He Calls His Infidelity the ‘Biggest Mistake’ of His Life
Norwegian athlete Sturla Holm Lægreid won big at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, but he still felt pretty down amid all the glory. The Norwegian athlete admitted that he cheated on his girlfriend on international TV, and the reported girlfriend has spoken out.
Lægreid came in third place in the men’s 20km biathlon on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and spoke to local press about how his celebration was pretty somber due to his recent life events. “There is someone I wanted to share this with who might not be watching today,” he told NRK, according to a translation provided by E! News. He confessed that he “met the love of [his] life” six months before the Olympics started, and described his ex as “the most beautiful and kindest person in the world.”
“Three months ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life and was unfaithful,” he revealed, saying that he admitted to the infidelity “about a week ago.” Lægreid said that he was having “the worst week of my life” prior to competing.
“I had the gold medal in life, and I am sure there are many people who will see things differently, but I only have eyes for her,” he explained. “Sport has come second these last few days. Yes, I wish I could share this with her.”
“I’m not ready to give up. I hope that committing social suicide [like this] might show her how much I love her,” Lægreid said about the decision of going public with it. “I accept the consequences of what I’ve done. I regret it with all my heart. Maybe I’m dumb as a rock. I’m a member of Mensa, but I still do stupid stuff.”
He said he’s “realized that this is the woman of my life, and I can’t live my whole life keeping that from her. My only path to the finish line is to tell her everything and put it all on the table, and hope that she’ll still love me. I’ve done that for her, and now for the entire world. I’ve nothing to lose.”
The moment became viral on social media, with some X users perplexed at the interview. Swedish journlalist Siavoush Fallahi wrote, “Wins an Olympic bronze, tells the nation he cheated on the love of his life, strangest medal interview I’ve seen.” “Call me old fashioned but I don’t think telling the world you cheated on your girlfriend right after you win an Olympic medal is the best idea,” another X user reacted.
His ex-girlfriend broke her silence in an interview with Norwegian outlet VG the day after. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said that it was “hard to forgive” her ex, “even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world.”
“I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it. We have had contact and he is aware of my opinions on this,” she said. “[I am grateful] to my family and friends who have embraced me and supported me during this time. Also to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathized, without knowing who I am.”
