Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid apologises to team after public confession of infidelity

Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid has apologised to his team for his public confession of infidelity after winning men’s 20-kilometre bronze at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

The reigning World Cup champion told Norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang newspaper on Thursday he had spoken with his teammates during a dinner the day before.

“I wanted to speak in front of everyone and apologise to them. I said that it had been a tough week and that I hadn’t been myself,” he said.

Laegreid won Olympic bronze in the 20km race on Tuesday and shortly afterwards told broadcasters NRK through tears: “Three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life.”

The athlete said he had cheated on his partner, whom he met six months ago. “I told her about that a week ago. This has been the worst week of my life.”

Laegreid described the woman he betrayed as “the love of my life” and “the most beautiful, nicest person in the world.”

His statement completely overshadowed teammate Johan-Olav Botn winning gold.

“You could say I ruined the party,” said Laegreid.

But he said that was not the intention, which is why he apologised specifically to Botn.

Norway’s shooting coach Siegfried Mazet said: “I think he understood afterwards it wasn’t the right place for it. It was important for Sturla to say it in front of everyone.”

The 28-year-old said he decided to speak openly in the hope of repairing the relationship with his former partner, but the woman, who wants to remain anonymous, is not ready for a reconciliation.

“It is difficult to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world,” the woman told Verdens Gang.

She said she had not chosen this situation and added “it hurts to endure this. We had contact and he knows my opinion.”

Laegreid, Botn and the Norwegian team are back in action on Friday in the men’s 10km sprint.

- With Deutsche Presse Agentur