The 2026 Winter Olympics have generated more headlines off the arenas than on them. Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid was the latest to put his personal life in the limelight when he won a bronze medal in the men’s 20km biathlon and then said, “It has been the worst week of my life.” It turns out he was feeling guilty for cheating on his ex and wants her back. Instagram got invested and almost unanimously asked her to run.
Sturla brought all of this onto himself. Whether we like it or not, people mess up in relationships. Sometimes even through affairs — and if you do that, you probably just have to accept that you’ll likely get left. Sturla chose not to accept that and instead made an announcement: “There is something I want to share with someone who may not be watching today,” he continued. “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.”
The interviewer, likely feeling awkward about all the behind-the-scenes drama in Milan and frankly under-equipped for celebrity questioning about relationships, tried to stay on topic and asked Sturla how it felt to finish third in an Olympic event. Sturla stuck to his guns. He said that he tries to be a role model — then added that he just wanted to admit that he did something wrong. He reiterated, ‘You have to admit when you do something you can’t stand for and hurt someone you love so much.
Sturla was inconsolable. He remained extremely emotional and later said in a press conference that he hopes she gets the message. When the story reached Instagram, every page that reported on it was flooded with red flags. One commenter wrote, “This is serious manipulative behaviour. Outing this publicly to pressure her into a reconciliation. This isn’t sweet or endearing, it’s simply disrespectful. Ladies, please learn to see this type of behaviour for what it is.” Another added, “I don’t believe it was the right place or time to make that private confession which no one cared about. If he loved her, valued, and respected her, he wouldn’t have cheated on her with someone else. He didn’t realize what he had until he lost her.”
Eventually, People was able to track down his ex, and she agreed with the internet, saying, “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 continued, “[I am grateful] to my family and friends who have embraced me and supported me during this time. Also to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathized, without knowing who I am.”
Hopefully, he will finally drop this. Clearly, he has other things going for him. The Olympics is just not the place to start a redemption arc for infidelity.
Published: Feb 12, 2026 10:33 am