A Winter Games Apology Turns Into a Public Drama

Sturla Holm Lægreid, a 29‑year‑old Norwegian biathlete, won bronze at the Milan Cortina 2026 and then surprised everyone by confessing on live TV that he had cheated on his partner. The interview, meant to celebrate his medal, turned into a personal tear‑jerker that sparked backlash from the media and fellow athletes. After the broadcast, Lægreid posted a formal apology on social media. He admitted that his timing was wrong and that the story should not have been aired at a moment of triumph. He also apologized to his teammate Botn, who won gold, for taking attention away from the team’s success.The ex‑girlfriend of Lægreid, who had not asked to be part of the story, expressed that the public confession was painful. She told a Norwegian outlet that she and Lægreid have spoken since the incident, but she remains unsure if forgiveness is possible. Lægreid’s comments drew criticism from Norway’s top biathlete, Johannes Thingnes Boe. He called the confession “inappropriate” and urged that athletes keep personal matters out of public arenas, especially during an international event. Now the athlete is trying to refocus on the remaining Olympic races while dealing with the fallout from a very personal mistake that was made in front of cameras.