{"id":292606,"date":"2026-02-11T15:54:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:54:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/292606\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T15:54:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:54:11","slug":"norwegian-olympian-wins-bronze-then-confesses-to-affair-on-tv-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/292606\/","title":{"rendered":"Norwegian Olympian wins bronze then confesses to affair on TV \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Norwegian<\/a> Sturla Holm L\u00e6greid broke down in tears after winning bronze<\/a> in the men\u2019s 20km biathlon, apologising for having an affair and saying: \u201cIt has been the worst week of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Johan-Olav Botn won gold, with the Frenchman \u00c9ric Perrot in second, but it was L\u00e6greid who stunned television viewers in Norway after opening up to the broadcaster NRK about his private life over the past six months.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is something I want to share with someone who may not be watching today,\u201d he said. \u201cHalf a year ago I met the love of my life. The world\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

NEW: Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid admits to cheating on his girlfriend after winning a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n

Sturla Holm Laegreid broke down in tears as he talked about the “worst week” of his life.<\/p>\n

“I had a gold medal in my life, and there are\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VDB1pNlRue<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Asked by the interviewer how he managed to finish third, L\u00e6greid answered: \u201cI try to be a good role model and I did something stupid. I got a nice video from the club at home and I used that as motivation today. As I said I want to be a good role model but I have to admit when I get something wrong. You have to admit when you do something you can\u2019t stand for and hurt someone you love so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

L\u00e6greid won gold in the relay in Beijing four years ago and has 14 world championship medals, including seven golds. After the medals ceremony he spoke to NRK again: \u201cI do not want to say who it is. She has had enough to deal with after last week but I hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel for us both. And that she can continue to love me.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was a hugely emotional day for Botn too. He pointed to the sky as he crossed the finish line and shouted \u201cWe did it Sivert!\u201d into the TV cameras, remembering team-mate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who was found dead in his hotel room in Lavaz\u00e8, Italy, in December.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy thoughts felt okay all the way,\u201d he told NRK. \u201cI went out on the last lap and had an incredible emotional rollercoaster. It was very special. When I crossed the line I broke down. I was thinking about him all the way through the last lap. I started to think about the whole year and us training every day for this. It had been such a clear goal for us. I felt that he was with me that whole lap. I hope he was watching today.\u201d<\/p>\n

L\u00e6greid added: \u201cOf course, now I hope I didn\u2019t ruin Johan\u2019s day. Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. So yeah, I don\u2019t know. I was, I\u2019m a bit, I don\u2019t know … I\u2019m not really here mentally. So yeah, we will see what happens.\u201d \u2013 Guardian<\/p>\n