'I can't undo this': Norwegian Olympian says he regrets cheating admission, apologises to ex-girlfriend and teammates

In what may be an Olympic first, biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid admitted in a televised interview that he cheated on his girlfriend.

Now, almost 24 hours on, the Norwegian Olympian said he regrets putting his personal business on the public stage.

"I deeply apologise for bringing up this personal story on what was a day of celebration for Norwegian biathlon," Laegreid said in a statement, which was issued in Norwegian by Norway's team, obtained by CNN Sports.

"I'm not quite myself these days, and I'm not thinking clearly."

Laegreid's admission came moments after he won bronze in the 20km individual biathlon race, finishing two places behind gold medallist and Norwegian teammate, Johan-Olav Botn.

"My apology goes to Johan-Olav, who deserved all the attention after winning gold," he said.

"It also goes to my ex-girlfriend, who was unwillingly thrust into the media spotlight.

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"I hope she is doing well. I can't undo this, but I will now put it behind me and focus on the Olympics going forward. I won't be answering any further questions about this."

The statement comes hours after Laegreid's ex-girlfriend responded to the athlete's affair confession.

"It's hard to forgive, even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world," the woman, who wants to remain anonymous, told Norwegian newspaper VG.

"I did not choose to be put in this position, and it hurts to have to be in it."

She also confirmed she had been in touch with Laegreid directly, but it seemed things haven't quite gone the way he was hoping.

"We have had contact and he is aware of my opinions on this," she told VG.

The woman thanked family and friends "who have embraced me and supported me" during the difficult time, along with strangers who have "thought of me and sympathised, without knowing who I am".

During his stunning on-air declaration, Laegreid said he had cheated on the "love of [his] life" three months ago and told her last week, ahead of his performance at Milano Cortina 2026.

"Six months ago I met the love of my life. The world's most beautiful, sweetest person," Laegreid said, fighting back tears.

"And three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her ... this has been the worst week of my life.

"I'm sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her.

"I'm not quite sure what I'm trying to say by saying this now, but sport has taken a back seat in recent days. I wish I could share this with her."

It was Laegreid's first individual Olympic medal. He was part of the relay team that took gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2022.

But instead of celebrating, he was distraught, crying and hugging friends, after the race.

"We make different choices during our life and that's how you make life, basically. So, today I made the choice to tell the world what I did," he said in a media conference after the medal presentation.

"I haven't had any reactions from the girl that I mentioned. I'm happy because then maybe she hasn't seen it; maybe she will see it at the right time.

"I hope I don't make anything worse for her, but maybe it can help. I don't know. I hope there's a happy ending in the end. So, we will see what time will do."

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