Ex-girlfriend of athlete who admitted cheating on live TV moments after Olympic medal win breaks her silence
The former girlfriend of an Olympic athlete who cried on national television as he admitted to cheating on her during a live interview has spoken out.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid told Norwegian network NRK that he had admitted his infidelity to his girlfriend of six months a week ago, moments after he won a medal at the Winter Olympics yesterday (Tuesday February 10).
He said: “Half a year ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful and nicest person. Three months ago I made the mistake of my life and cheated on her, and I told her about that a week ago. This has been the worst week of my life.”
Now, the woman has given her side of the story and has said “it’s hard to forgive”. She did not want to be named, but told local media that although Laegreid has owned up to his wrongdoing so publicly it doesn’t change anything for her.
“Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world, it's hard to forgive. 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 told Norwegian newspaper VG.
She added that she wanted to give thanks to her family and friends who have “embraced [her] and supported [her] during this time. “Also [I want to give thanks] to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathised without knowing who I am,” she added.
VG contacted Lægreid about his mystery girlfriend's comments, who initially did not want to reply back. However, he soon changed his mind and issued another statement, which read: “I deeply regret that I brought up this personal story on what was a joyous day for Norwegian biathlon. I am not quite myself today, and I am not thinking clearly.”
Laegrid won the bronze medal in the men’s 20km biathlon behind compatriot Johan-Olav Botn who took gold, and Frenchman Eric Perrot in second. He is a six-time biathlon world champion and won a gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as part of the Norwegian relay team.
Pressed on his admission during the post-race medal winners’ press conference, Laegreid added: “I don’t know if it was the right choice or not, but it was the choice I made. Today I made the choice to tell the world what I did so maybe there’s a chance that she will see what she really means to me – maybe not, but I don’t want to think I didn’t try everything to get her back.
“I don’t want to steal the show today. I hope this is just like a day-or-two thing. Then you are an Olympic gold medallist forever.”