Norwegian Biathlete Admits Cheating, Secures Second Bronze at Winter Olympics

Sturla Holm Laegreid, a biathlete from Norway, secured a bronze medal in the men’s sprint event at the Milan Cortina Olympics on February 13, 2026. This achievement came only three days after he made a surprising personal revelation during a post-race interview.

Confession of Infidelity

Laegreid’s confession involved admitting to being unfaithful to his girlfriend. During a live broadcast, he expressed hope of winning her back. He shared that he had informed her of his infidelity just a week prior, which resulted in their breakup. “I had a gold medal in life, and there’s probably a lot of people out there who look at me differently now, but I only have eyes for her,” he stated.

Emotional Impact

The aftermath of his confession weighed heavily on Laegreid. He described the previous week as the “worst” of his life. Expressing deep remorse, he said, “I regret my behavior with all my heart” and accepted the consequences of his actions. He hoped that by being open about his situation, he could potentially reconcile with his ex-girlfriend.

Reactions to the Confession

Local media reported that Laegreid’s ex was not pleased with the public display. She remarked, “I did not choose to be in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it.” Despite the emotional turmoil, Laegreid continued to be in contact with her, acknowledging her feelings.

Olympic Achievements

Earlier in the games, Laegreid also won a bronze medal in the 20-kilometer individual race. His accomplishments were overshadowed by his personal revelations, leading to some criticism that he diverted attention from his teammate, Johan-Olav Botn, who captured gold in the same event.

Race Results

The results of the men’s sprint event were as follows:

• Gold Medal: Quentin Fillon Maillet (France)
• Silver Medal: Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen (Norway)
• Bronze Medal: Sturla Holm Laegreid (Norway)

As the games progressed, Laegreid expressed regret for intertwining his personal life with his sports achievements. “I deeply regret sharing this personal story on what was a day of celebration for Norwegian biathlon,” he said in a statement issued by his team.