ANTERSELVA, Italy – Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid stunned viewers and teammates alike on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by confessing to infidelity in a post-race interview following his bronze medal performance in the men’s 20-kilometer biathlon at the Winter Olympics. The confession, delivered to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, overshadowed the sporting achievement and sparked immediate reaction both within Norway and internationally.
Lægreid, 28, revealed he had cheated on his girlfriend three months prior and informed her of the affair a week before the Olympic competition. “There’s someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching today,” he said, visibly emotional. “Six months ago, I met the love of my life – the most elegant and kindest person in the world. Three months ago, I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her.”
The unexpected disclosure came after a race won by fellow Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn, with Frenchman Éric Perrot taking silver. Lægreid’s teammate, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, was seen comforting him immediately after the race, as captured in photographs by the Associated Press. He described the past week as “the worst week of my life” and expressed a desperate hope for reconciliation.
“I had a gold medal in my life, and there are probably many who glance at me with different eyes, but I only have eyes for her,” Lægreid stated. “Sport has taken a slightly different place (in my life) the last few days. Yes, I wish I could share it with her.”
Later speaking to Norwegian newspaper VG, Lægreid reiterated his remorse and pleaded for another chance. “I told her a week ago, and then it ended, of course. I’m not ready to provide up… I’m taking the consequences for what I’ve done, I regret it with all my heart,” he said. He added that he felt compelled to be honest, hoping his girlfriend would see his sincerity. “I realised that this is the woman in my life, and I can’t live my whole life keeping it a secret from her. My only way to solve it is to notify everything and put everything on the table, and hope that she can still love me.”
The timing of the confession drew criticism from some within the biathlon community. Johannes Thingnes Boe, a biathlon expert for NRK and a four-time gold medalist at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, expressed surprise at Lægreid’s decision to reveal such personal information immediately after the race. “It came as a complete surprise. His action was wrong – we saw a repentant lad standing there. Unfortunately, the time, place and timing are all wrong,” Boe said during NRK’s studio broadcast. He added that Lægreid is known for wearing his emotions openly and suggested the confession may have been a spontaneous outpouring.
Lægreid also acknowledged the potential impact of his confession on his teammate’s victory, expressing concern about overshadowing Botn’s gold medal. He also alluded to the recent death of teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken in December, suggesting his emotional state was already fragile. “Now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day,” he said. “Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. So yeah, I don’t know. I was, I’m a bit, I don’t know… I’m not really here mentally.”
As of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, Lægreid’s girlfriend has not publicly responded to his confession. Norwegian media continue to cover the story extensively, and the incident has become a major talking point at the Winter Olympics in Anterselva.
