The mystery girlfriend of a Winter Olympics star who admitted to cheating on her in a live television interview has responded to his public outburst – and says she hasn’t forgiven him.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid, 28, took home the bronze medal on Tuesday in the men’s 20km Individual race in the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina but was overcome by emotion after he admitted to being unfaithful to his girlfriend of six months while being interviewed after his big win.
But his dramatic declaration of love seems to have gone down badly.
Lægreid’s scorned girlfriend, who wants to remain anonymous, has told him: ‘It’s hard to forgive.’
Writing to Norwegian newspaper VG, she said: ‘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.’
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid admitted to cheating on his girlfriend of six months
The Olympic medalist was left in tears on live television having made the confession
She added that she wanted to express gratitude ‘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.’
VG had contacted Lægreid about his mystery girlfriend’s comments, but he did not want to comment
The couple had been together six months before Lægreid admitted to his infidelity privately, days before he was due to compete at the Winter Olympics.
Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK after his event, Lægreid, whose infidelity happened three months ago, confessed: ‘There’s someone I wanted to share this with who might not be watching today.
‘Six months ago, I met the love of my life and the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. And three months ago I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her.’
He tearfully declared: ‘I had a gold medal in my life…I only have eyes for her. I don’t know what I want to achieve by saying this…I wish I could share it with her.’
Lægreid had not yet heard from the woman in question when he appeared at a press conference and said: ‘I am happy because maybe she has not seen it and maybe she will see it at the right time. I hope I don’t make it worse for her.’
Lægreid had been seen crying on camera as he made his shocking confession following his medal win.
After calming down, the biathlete continued, telling the NRK broadcaster he was willing to drop a metaphorical ‘nuclear bomb’ during the interview to try and win his girlfriend back.
‘Because I am already hated by her, and I hope that maybe it can make her realise how much I love her,’ he added.
When asked about the identity of his girlfriend, the sportsman refused to reveal her name out of respect.
‘She’s probably still processing last week’s message, but I hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel for both of us. And that she can still love me,’ he declared.
Lægreid revealed that he decided to go public about his infidelity the night before his big race, telling the television channel: ‘Last night I had a kind of revelation that I should drop this bomb… Then we’ll see what happens. I have nothing to lose.’
Lægreid’s teammate, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, later revealed to the broadcaster that the bronze medalist had told him about his infidelity, saying: ‘We have known that, yes. I don’t have many comments about it now. It’s good that he is open about it, and if he wants to talk about things, that’s fine.’
Viewers were quick to react to the sportsman’s TV interview on Tuesday, with one X user commenting: ‘Here, the heartbreak runs so deep that he desperately tries to win back his love in true Hollywood style. I salute the man!’
Others mocked the athlete’s dramatic interview, with one social media user writing: ‘Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen…You never win back ladies this way. Only on film, never in real life.’
The admission comes after he won his first-ever Olympic bronze in a nerve-jangling men’s 20km individual biathlon race at the Antholz-Anterselva Biathlon Arena on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, compatriot Johan-Olav Botn stormed through the final lap to win an emotionally charged Olympic gold medal, while Eric Perrot of France came in second, 14.8 seconds behind the winner, to secure the silver medal.
Lægreid made the most of a good day on the range, hitting 19 of 20 shots to sweep into the bronze medal position ahead of Finland’s vastly experienced Olli Hiidensalo, 48.3 seconds behind the winner Botn.
Lægreid had a tough season during the World Cup and was dropped from the mixed relay in the Olympics.
Just a day before securing bronze at the Winter Olympics, he admitted that he did not have high expectations for himself.
Speaking to NRK on Monday, he said: ‘I won’t hide the fact that I don’t have high expectations for myself.
‘But I also understand that I’m kind of an underdog now after the way the season has been. I wouldn’t have imagined being in a position like this, but maybe this is the chance I have at the Olympics to win a medal.’
