Girlfriend of Winter Olympic medalist responds after he admitted to affair

The girlfriend of Winter Olympic medalist Sturla Holm Laegreid has responded after he admitted to cheating on her.

The Norwegian biathlete won a bronze medal in the men’s individual 20km race, with fellow countryman Johan-Olav Botn winning gold and France’s Eric Perrot taking silver.

But in his post-race interview with Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, Laegreid made the stunning revelation that he had been unfaithful to his girlfriend who he described as ‘the love of my life’.

‘There is something I want to share with someone who may not be watching today,’ a tearful Laegreid said.

‘Half a year ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful and nicest person.

‘Three months ago I made the mistake of my life and cheated on her, and I told her about that a week ago. This has been the worst week of my life.

‘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. I wish I could share this with her.’

Laegreid’s girlfriend, who wants to remain anonymous, told Norwegian outlet VG: ‘It’s hard to forgive. 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. We have had contact and he is aware of my opinions on this.’

She added that she wanted to express gratitude ‘to my family and friends who have embraced me and supported me during this time. Also to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathized, without knowing who I am.’

In his interview, Laegreid revealed that they broke up a week ago after he told her about the affair, and said he was committing ‘social suicide’ in his attempt to win her back.

‘I told her a week ago, and then it was over, of course. I’m not ready to give up,’ he said.

‘I hope that committing social suicide will show how much I love her. I accept the consequences of what I have done. I regret it with all my heart.

‘I realized that this is the woman of my life, and I can’t live my whole life keeping it hidden from her.

‘My only way to achieve my goal is to tell her everything and lay it all 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.’

Fellow Norwegian athlete, Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, revealed that Laegreid had told some of his teammates about the affair.

‘We knew about it, yes,’ Dale-Skjevdal said. ‘I don’t have much to say about it right now. It’s good that he’s open about it, and if he wants to talk about things, that’s fine, but I find it difficult to comment on it.’

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