Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid publicly admitted to cheating on this love of his life and the Internet has opinions. Our Features Editor offers a (highly caveated) defence of his recent actions
If you’re on the internet – whether you’re following the Olympics or not – it is likely that you’ve recently become aware of a man named Sturla Holm Laegreid. If not by name, then by discretion. Yes, this is the Norwegian biathlete who, upon claiming a bronze medal at Milano Cortina 2026, admitted very, very publicly (the original interview was with NRK but the clip has since been cited, well, everywhere) that he recently cheated on and subsequently lost the woman of his dreams. “Six months ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful, sweetest person. And three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her,” Laegreid said, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her.”
Since Laegreid’s big mea culpa, the internet has not been kind. The most common criticisms are that he put his ex on blast (worth noting, she has yet to be identified, and lord knows that online sleuths have been trying) and that the Olympic Games are no place for personal dramatics. In the wake of this backlash, Laegreid has issued a subsequent statement, apologising to his teammate Johan-Olva Botn (his gold medal win was, sufficient to say, overshadowed) as well as his ex. His ex, meanwhile, speaking under anonymity to VG, has said that she didn’t wish to be dragged into this and that it would be “hard to forgive” Laegreid.
But I’m just going to speak my truth: I’m sort of rooting for him?
Photo: Getty