Laegreid’s emotional Olympic confession: player confesses to cheating after medal win

ANTERSELVA: Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid delivered one of the most emotional moments of the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, publicly admitting he had cheated on his girlfriend moments after winning a bronze medal.

Fighting back tears in a post-race interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the 28-year-old revealed that his Olympic success had prompted him to confront what he called the biggest mistake of his life.

“Six months ago, I met the love of my life,” Laegreid said. “Three months ago, I cheated on her. I told her a week ago, and it’s been the worst week of my life.”

Laegreid said he decided to speak openly because he could not live with the secret any longer.

“I realised I can’t go through life hiding it,” he later told Norwegian newspaper VG. “The only thing I could do was tell everything and hope she could still love me. Now I’ve done that, for her, and for everyone.”

The confession came shortly after Laegreid finished third in the race, behind compatriot Johan-Olav Botn, who took gold, and France’s Eric Perrot, who won silver.

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Without naming his girlfriend, Laegreid compared their relationship to an Olympic title.

“I had a gold medal in my life,” he said. “People may look at me differently now, but I only have eyes for her. Sport has taken a different place in my life these last days.”

Later, Laegreid questioned whether the public outpouring was appropriate and acknowledged it may have overshadowed Botn’s victory.

“Maybe it was selfish of me,” he said. “I’m not really here mentally.”

He added that the race came amid heightened emotions following the death of teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken in December.

As the confession became a major talking point in Norway, Laegreid reiterated his remorse and again appealed for forgiveness.

“I regret it with all my heart,” he told VG. “I’m taking the consequences for what I’ve done, but I’m not ready to give up.”

NRK biathlon analyst Johannes Thingnes Boe said he was shocked by the timing of the revelation.

“It came completely out of the blue,” Boe said. “He was clearly repentant, but the time and place were wrong. With Sturla, the emotions are always on the surface, it just burst out.”