Sturla Holm Lægreid's eventful 2026 Winter OIympics continued with a second bronze medal on Friday, Feb. 13, a few days after his decision to reveal he cheated on his girlfriend immediately after winning his first bronze medal went viral around the world.
The Norweigian biathlete finished in third place in the men's 10km sprint, crossing the finish line just 0.2 seconds ahead of Emilien Jacquelin of France to get on the podium again at the Milan Cortina Games. But his performances have been overshadowed by remarks he made to Norway's NRK Television at the finish line of the men's 20km biathlon, when he revealed his infidelity, explained how it had affected him ahead of the Olympics and expressed his desire to restore the relationship.
"I have tried not to be affected by it," Laegreid said after Friday's race, according to Norway's TV 2 and translated into English via Google Translate. "I am satisfied with what I have achieved today despite the conditions."
Lægreid, 28, is a former gold medalist in the biathlon relay at the 2022 Winter Olympics and he's a six-time former world champion in the biathlon since 2021. Lægreid has declined to name the person he was discussing during the interview, though he revealed that he told her of his infidelity last week.
Lægreid has since apologized for his comments and said he regretted they took away from fellow Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn's gold medal in the 20km biathlon race.
"I deeply regret bringing up this personal story on what was a day of celebration for Norwegian biathlon," Lægreid told NRK in a statement released on Wednesday, Feb. 11, which was translated by the BBC. "I am not quite myself these days, and I am not thinking clearly. My apologies go to Johan-Olav, who deserved all the attention after winning gold.
"My apologies also go to my ex-girlfriend, who unwillingly ended up in the media spotlight. I hope she is doing well," he added. "I cannot change what has happened, but I will now put this behind me and focus on the Olympics. I will not be answering any further questions about this."
Lægreid's initial appeal to his ex-girlfriend occurred through tears on Tuesday, Feb. 10 in Anterselva, Italy, after winning his first individual Olympic bronze medal.
"There is someone who may not be watching today. Half a year ago, I met the love of my life, the world's most beautiful, finest person," Lægreid said, according to a NRK transcript translated into English by Google Translate, "and three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her."
"I had a gold medal in my life," he continued. "There are probably many now who look at me with different eyes, but I only have eyes for her. I don't quite know what I want to achieve by saying it here now, but sport has taken second place in recent days. I wish I could share it with her."
The scene sounded different for Lægreid's latest bronze medal.
He drew praise from members of the Norwegian biathlon contingent, including Johan-Olav. TV 2 reported former Norwegian biathlete and Olympic gold medalist Tarjei Boe also sent Lægreid a message of encouragement before the race after all the international attention his cheating admission had garnered.
"The last few days must have cost him a lot, so it is very impressive. He has an ability to flip the switch. It is impressive, because he has been a little out of his mind in recent days," fellow Norweigian biathlete Johannes Dale-Skjevdal told TV 2, according to Google Translate.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sturla Holm Lægreid wins second Olympic medal after cheating admission