Biathlete Admits Cheating After Winning Medal

After winning a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid shared a personal struggle. He admitted on live TV that he had cheated on his girlfriend. He said he made a mistake and hopes to fix things.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Emotional Confession Follows Olympic Success

Moments after securing a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid made a public confession of infidelity during a live television interview. The admission, which visibly distressed the athlete, focused on a past mistake that he stated occurred three months prior to the competition. The fallout from this on-air revelation has extended to the personal lives of those involved, with Laegreid's girlfriend reportedly responding to the televised disclosure. The circumstances surrounding the confession and the subsequent reactions present a complex situation involving personal relationships and public performance.

Event Timeline and Key Actors

The events unfolded on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena in Italy, during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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  • Sturla Holm Laegreid: A prominent Norwegian biathlete, he competed in the men's 20km individual biathlon race and won a bronze medal. He is also a seven-time world champion.

  • Laegreid's Girlfriend: The individual to whom Laegreid admitted infidelity. Her current relationship status and reaction to the public confession are central to ongoing developments.

  • Johan-Olav Botn: A Norwegian biathlete who won the gold medal in the same race.

  • Éric Perrot: A French biathlete who won the silver medal in the same race.

  • NRK: The Norwegian state broadcaster that conducted the live interview with Laegreid.

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The sequence of events as reported is as follows:

  1. Competition: Laegreid participates in and wins the bronze medal in the men's 20km individual biathlon.

  2. Live Interview: Immediately following his win, Laegreid is interviewed by NRK. During this interview, he tearfully confesses to cheating on his girlfriend three months prior. He also states he informed her of his infidelity a week before the competition.

  3. Public Reaction: Laegreid's confession garners widespread media attention.

  4. Girlfriend's Response: Reports emerge regarding Laegreid's girlfriend's reaction to the public admission.

Evidence of Public Confession and Admittance

Multiple sources confirm Sturla Holm Laegreid's public admission of cheating on his girlfriend during a live television interview.

  • Emotional Display: Reports consistently describe Laegreid as becoming emotional, breaking down in tears, or crying on camera during the interview following his medal win. (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 12, 15)

  • Timing of Confession: The admission was made directly after securing the bronze medal in the men's 20km biathlon race. (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 15, 16)

  • Nature of the Admission: Laegreid explicitly stated he had "cheated on her" or admitted to an "affair" or "infidelity." (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)

  • Key Quotes:

  • "Three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her." (Sources: 1, 5, 11, 14)

  • "I told her about it a week ago." (Sources: 2, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14)

  • "You have to admit when you do something you can't stand for, and hurt someone you love so much." (Source: 2)

  • "It has been the worst week of my life." (Sources: 3, 5, 12)

  • "I have nothing to lose." (Source: 11)

  • "I made my biggest mistake!" (Source: 15)

  • Motivation for Confession: Laegreid indicated he wanted to share his feelings with his girlfriend, who might not have been watching, and expressed a hope that this public statement would demonstrate his love and possibly aid reconciliation. (Sources: 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14) He also mentioned feeling a sense of responsibility due to his public profile after medaling. (Source: 12)

Girlfriend's Response and Current Status

Information regarding the girlfriend's reaction indicates a complex emotional state and an uncertain path forward.

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  • Lack of Forgiveness: Reports suggest that Laegreid's girlfriend has not forgiven him, finding it "still hard to forgive" him for his actions. (Source: 4, 8)

  • Unclear Communication: It is unclear whether the girlfriend heard Laegreid's public apology directly or how she initially processed the news. (Source: 5, 17)

  • Past Relationship Context: Laegreid is described as having told his girlfriend about the infidelity a week prior to the competition. (Sources: 2, 3, 10, 13) One report mentions his girlfriend had broken up with him after he confessed. (Source: 9)

  • Laegreid's Stated Intentions: Laegreid expressed a strong desire to "get her back" and "try everything" to achieve reconciliation. (Source: 10, 12, 14) He hopes his confession makes her realize how much he loves her. (Source: 5)

Laegreid's Performance and Mental State

The athlete's confession was closely linked to his mental and emotional state leading up to and during the competition.

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  • Impact on Performance: Laegreid stated that the guilt from his actions affected his preparation for the games and that he was not "mentally here" during his performance. (Sources: 3, 10) He admitted he had "nothing to lose" by confessing. (Source: 11)

  • Motivation: He mentioned using a motivational video sent by his club as a coping mechanism. (Source: 9) He also alluded to his public image being secondary to his relationship. (Source: 7)

Broader Context and Previous Relationships

The current situation is being discussed in light of Laegreid's past relationships.

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  • Previous Partner: Chloe Levins, an American biathlete, is identified as Laegreid's former girlfriend. Her past relationship with Laegreid is being revisited in the context of his recent confession. (Source: 7)

  • Past Behavior: An interview from the previous year is referenced, where Laegreid reportedly refused to hug his girlfriend for two months while preparing for the World Championships, suggesting a pattern of intense focus on his sport, potentially impacting personal relationships. (Source: 2)

Expert Analysis and Public Discourse

Commentary on the event highlights the unusual nature of such a personal confession occurring on a major international sports stage.

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  • Public Spectacle: The confession turned a moment of athletic triumph into a public display of personal crisis. (Source: 12)

  • Media Coverage: The incident has been widely reported across international news outlets, with many articles focusing on the emotional aspect of the confession and the subsequent response from his girlfriend. (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19)

  • Focus on Relationship: The narrative has largely shifted from his athletic achievement to the state of his personal relationship, underscoring the intersection of public figures' private lives and media attention.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Sturla Holm Laegreid's confession of infidelity on live television following his Olympic bronze medal win represents a significant public disclosure of a personal matter. The athlete has openly expressed remorse and a strong desire to reconcile with his girlfriend, stating that he will "try everything to get her back." However, current reports suggest that his girlfriend has not yet forgiven him and finds it difficult to do so.

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The implications of this public admission are multifaceted:

  • Personal Relationship: The future of Laegreid's relationship remains uncertain, contingent on his girlfriend's ultimate response and his ongoing efforts.

  • Athletic Career: While his immediate focus appears to be on his personal life, the emotional toll of this situation was evident during his performance and interview. The long-term impact on his athletic career is yet to be determined.

  • Public Image: Laegreid acknowledged that his public image might change, but prioritized his relationship. His candidness has generated considerable media interest and public discussion.

Further developments are expected regarding the personal resolution of this situation and any potential impact on Laegreid's athletic pursuits.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened after the biathlete won his medal?
After winning a bronze medal, Sturla Holm Laegreid spoke to reporters. He said he had cheated on his girlfriend.
Q: When did he cheat?
He said the cheating happened three months before the race.
Q: Did he tell his girlfriend before the race?
Yes, he said he told her about it a week before the competition.
Q: How did his girlfriend react?
Reports say she has not forgiven him yet and finds it hard to do so.
Q: What does the biathlete want to happen now?
He wants to get his girlfriend back and said he will try everything to fix their relationship.