An Olympic cheating scandal was revealed at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Tuesday, but it had nothing to do with performance-enhancing drugs or crotch manipulation.
Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid won a bronze medal in the 20km biathlon and used his post-race interview to reveal that he had cheated on his girlfriend.
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Speaking to Norway’s NRK, Lægreid said that he told his partner last week about his unfaithfulness.
“Six months ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful, sweetest person,” Lægreid said through tears. “And three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her.”
Lægreid’s ex-girlfriend responded to the biathletes gesture Wednesday, telling a Norwegian tabloid that it’s “hard to forgive” Lægreid for his actions, per the New York Post.
“It’s hard to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world,” Lægreid’s ex-girlfriend, who wanted to remain anonymous, said. She added that she did not want to be put in this position, per the Post.
“I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it,” she said. “We have had contact, and he is aware of my opinions on this.”
Lægreid’s ex also thanked those who showed support for her, including her family and random strangers who heard about her story following Lægreid’s public admission.
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The 28-year-old Lægreid, who won gold at the 2022 Olympics in the 4×7.5km relay and is a seven-time world champion in five different biathlon disciplines, expressed his desire to share this medal moment with his partner. He added that while people may see him differently after his confession, he “only has eyes for her.”
Fellow Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn won gold in the event in his Olympic debut. Lægreid said he felt bad about using the post-race moment to overshadow Botn’s accomplishment.
“Now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day,” Lægreid said. “Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. I’m not really here, mentally.”
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At a post-race press conference, Lægreid said he decided to reveal his infidelity on Tuesday in the hopes that there is a chance his partner “will see what she really means to me.”
Lægreid hoped his public confession would improve things with his ex.
“I hope there’s light at the end of the tunnel for both of us,” Lægreid told NKO following the medal ceremony. “And that she can still love me.”
Following Lægreid’s ex-girlfriend’s comments Wednesday, it doesn’t appear the biathlete’s gambit worked.
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