Is there a wrong time to admit a romantic infidelity? The altar probably ranks high on the list, but don’t discount the Olympic podium, a sacred place for competitors to revel in their athletic achievements. But one Norwegian biathlete doesn’t care. Bronze medal or no bronze medal, he wants the world to know that he cheated on his girlfriend.
Speaking to the Norwegian outlet VG (translated by The Independent), the 28-year-old, six-time Biathlon World Champion Sturla Holm Laegreid won bronze in the Individual 20 km at the Milan Olympics today and promptly, without provocation, freely admitted that he had cheated on the love of his life. “There’s someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching today,” he said. “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. I told her about it a week ago. It’s been the worst week of my life.” It’s like winning an Oscar and then smacking Chris Rock across the face.
“I had a gold medal in my life, and there are probably many 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.” Laegreid continues that he hopes “committing social suicide” will be seen as a grand gesture that shows “how much I love her.”
“I’m taking the consequences for what I’ve done. I regret it with all my heart.”
Of course, in some ways, by making such a public declaration, he’s putting the onus back on her to take him back. But on the other hand, he’s still more popular at the Olympics than JD Vance, so we encourage his former love to consider that things could be worse: she could be Usha Vance.
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