One athlete’s Olympic dreams have been overshadowed by his infidelity.
After Norway’s Sturla Holm Laegreid earned the bronze medal in the men’s 20km biathlon at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the athlete confessed to having an affair.
“There is someone I wanted to share this with who might not be watching today,” Laegreid, 28, told Norwegian state broadcaster NRK in a live interview after his bronze win on Tuesday, February 10. “Six months ago, I met the love of my life, the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. Three months ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life and was unfaithful.”
While the Olympian didn’t reveal the name of the woman, he continued to share personal details in the interview.
“I told her about it a week ago,” he confessed via translation. “It’s been the worst week of my life. 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. Sport has come second these last few days. Yes, I wish I could share this with her.”
As for why he wanted to share the news with the world, Laegreid explained his belief that people must own up to their mistakes.
“I try to be a good role model, and I did something stupid,” he shared. “You have to admit when you do something you can’t stand for and hurt someone you love so much.”
Before medaling at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Laegreid showed nothing but confidence when discussing his journey to Milano Cortina.
With multiple world championships under his belt, the athlete was a favorite to win big at this year’s games.
“I want to be the guy everyone wants to beat,” he previously told Biathlon World. “It is more fun like that. It means you have done something good and people look up to you. If you are not prepared to carry that, then you are not prepared to keep it.”
If things don’t go to plan on the course, Laegreid said he had a plan for that as well.
“I’ve learned to not stress so much,” he said. “I have a tendency when something goes wrong shooting or skiing, I doubt everything. I have to be more confident and trusting in my process. The last couple of years, especially, taught me that if I just stick with it and believe in myself, I can be good.”
He continued, “I want to be calm, calculated, to have the guts to give it all. But I do not want to lose my head. It is good to have a little bit of fear, because then you know what the stakes are and you play your cards well.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics kicked off on Friday, February 13, with the Opening Ceremony. Competition will last until the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 22.
A total of 245 gold medals will be awarded to winners of 116 Olympic and 79 Paralympic events over the next few weeks.
