The Winter Olympics star who went viral after admitting to cheating on his ex-girlfriend on live television has bought his entire team dinner to apologise for stealing the spotlight from his gold medal-winning team-mate.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid, 28, took home the bronze medal on Tuesday in the men’s 20km Individual race but was overcome by emotion after he admitted to being unfaithful to his girlfriend of six months during a post-event interview.
Lægreid’s declaration of love, which has unexpectedly become one of the biggest stories of the Winter Olympics so far, stole the limelight away from fellow Norwegian biathlete Johan-Olav Botn, who won gold just a minute before the viral interview.
Botn, 26, wished to dedicate his triumph to his late team-mate and friend Sivert Guttorm Bakken, whom he found dead in his hotel room just two months before the Winter Olympics, but Lægreid’s emotional outburst diverted attention away.
Lægreid, whose dramatic declaration of love has since appeared to have gone down badly with his ex-girlfriend, delivered a grovelling speech at a Team Norway dinner on Thursday to apologise to everyone.
The biathlete, who bought the entire team dinner, told VG Sport: ‘I wanted to speak in front of everyone and apologise to everyone. I said it had been a tough week and that I hadn’t been myself.
Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid has bought his entire team dinner to apologise for stealing the spotlight after dramatically revealing that he cheated on his ex-girlfriend
Lægreid was left in tears on live television having made the confession shortly after he took home the bronze medal in the men’s 20km Individual race in the Winter Olympics
His declaration of love drew attention away from gold medal-winning team-mate Johan-Olav Botn (above) who wished to dedicate his triumph to his late friend Sivert Guttorm Bakken
‘I hadn’t thought through what I did well enough. I apologised to everyone who was dragged in. Especially to Johan-Olav (Botn), who had the moment he deserved to enjoy, without me having to say what I said.
‘I ruined the party, you could say. It was a big elephant in the room and important to take.’
Norway’s biathlon coach Siegfried Mazet added: ‘It was a bit surprising what he said after the bronze medal. The world was surprised. I think he understood afterwards that it was not the right place to do it. Yesterday, he apologised to everyone.’
Lægreid and his ex-girlfriend had been together six months before he 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, (right, with Botn, centre) delivered a grovelling speech at the dinner to apologise
Lægreid has admitted he has no regrets after committing what he describes as ‘social suicide’
His scorned girlfriend, who wants to remain anonymous, told him on Wednesday: ‘It’s hard to forgive.’
Writing to the Norwegian newspaper, 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.’
Lægreid’s outburst was met with furious criticism and prompted Norwegian biathlete legend Ole Einar Bjorndalen to label him ‘selfish’.
‘Should I be honest? Crazy selfish. It’s shocking,’ Bjorndalen said. ‘Norway wins an Olympic gold medal, and he takes his first bronze medal. That he has cheated on his greatest love… that’s kind of his problem.
‘He probably hopes to win her back and will do everything for it, but I don’t need to know anything about it. Only a few people do, and that’s his problem.
‘Today we’re going to pay tribute to Botn. We’re not going to pay tribute to Sturla’s frustrated love life.’
Despite the furious backlash, Lægreid admitted he has no regrets after committing what he describes as ‘social suicide’.
‘It’s something I decided last night, no matter how it went. I hope I don’t make things worse for her at home. It’s a declaration of love to commit social suicide on TV. She’s the only one I want,’ he said.
