A Norwegian biathlete admitted to having an affair in an interview conducted after winning an Olympic medal.
Sturla Holm Lægreid secured bronze in the 20-kilometer individual biathlon final on Tuesday. After earning his first individual Olympic medal, a tearful Lægreid confessed to cheating on his girlfriend during a bizarre live interview on Norway's NRK broadcast.
"Six months ago, I met the love of my life," Lægreid said, per Google's English translation. "The most beautiful, nicest person in the world and three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her."
"I have nothing to lose"
Norway NRK TV
Lægreid later explained in his press conference why he decided to tell the world about his infelidty immediately after a career-defining moment.
"I have nothing to lose, he said. "I had a chance at true love and I screwed up so badly. It's not necessarily forgivable. But if this gives me a tiny chance to tell her how much I love her, I'd rather commit social suicide on live TV just to get that little chance."
The 28-year-old decided before the event that he would use the grand platform to openly discuss his affair.
"When I win a medal, maybe the message will be a little stronger," Lægreid theorized. "Not many people know what I've been up to. Now maybe the whole world knows it, but there have been a lot of thoughts in my head in recent days."
A six-time world champion, Lægreid won gold at the biathlon relay in the 2022 Winter Olympics. He semed too sad about his personal life to savor his latest athletic achievement.
"I had the gold medal in life," he said, via BBC. "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. Yes, I wish I could share this with her."
Lægreid later said that he didn't mean to "steal the spotlight" from fellow Norwegian Johannes Thingnes Bø, who won gold in the event. The 32-year-old shouted out former teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakke, who died in December, as he crossed the finish line.
"Sorry if I ruined your day," Lægreid said to Bø at their joint press conference.