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Topics: Olympics, World News, News, Sport
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Olympics, World News, News, Sport
A Norwegian biathlete who confessed to cheating on his girlfriend earlier this week during a live TV interview has since expressed 'regret', after she brutally took aim at his teary admission.
Days into this year's Winter Olympics - which are spread across both Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo - 28-year-old Sturla Holm Lægreid secured himself a bronze medal in 20km individual biathlon, coming in third behind champion and fellow Norwegian, Johan-Olav Boe, and Eric Perrot of France in second on Tuesday (10 February).
Giving his first interview with local broadcaster NRK moments after receiving his prestigious accolade, things seemed to take a dark turn for Lægreid, who suddenly broke down in tears.
Opening up on what the athlete described as his 'biggest mistake', he admitted to having cheated on his girlfriend three months earlier, adding that he'd only recently broken the news to her himself.
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"There's someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching," Lægreid began. "Six months ago, I met the love of my life - the most beautiful and kindest person in the world.
"Three months ago, I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her."
Crying, he continued: "I had the gold medal in life, and I am sure there are many people who will see things differently, but I only have eyes for her.
"Sport has come second these last few days. Yes, I wish I could share this with her."
Later, Lægreid went on to tell Norwegian newspaper VG: "My only way to solve it is to tell everything and put everything on the table, and hope that she can still love me. I've done that for her, and now for the whole world. I have nothing to lose.
"I want to be a good role model, but I have to admit when I make mistakes."
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Not long after Lægreid's emotional confession hit international headlines, his former flame spoke out personally.
Choosing to remain anonymous, she told VG yesterday (11 February) she still finds it 'hard to forgive' the sportsman 'even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world'.
"I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it," the heartbroken woman continued. "We have had contact and he is aware of my opinions on this."
Lægreid's ex went on to thank her 'friends and family', who she said 'have embraced me and supported me during this time'.
"Also to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathised, without knowing who I am."
And by the sounds of things, her resilient response to Lægreid's soppy display has already humbled the medal-winner, who has since expressed regret over having ever spoken out on the matter.
"I deeply regret that I brought up this personal story on what was a joyous day for Norwegian biathlon," he shared in a brief follow-up statement to People magazine.
"I am not quite myself today, and I am not thinking clearly.
"My apologies go to Johan-Olav, who deserved all the attention after the gold. It also goes to my ex-girlfriend, who involuntarily ended up in the media spotlight. I hope she is doing well.”
He added that he 'will now put this behind me and focus on the Olympics. I will not answer any further questions about this'.
It wasn't just Lægreid's ex-partner who seemed rather unimpressed by his gushy admission.
Gold medal-winner Boe slammed the timing of the sorrowful display as being 'all wrong', telling press: "It came as a complete surprise.
"His action was wrong - we saw a repentant lad standing there. Unfortunately, the time, place and timing are all wrong."