Emotions overwhelmed Laegreid, a seven-time world champion, as he stood on the podium, accepting his bronze medal.

In a shocking moment on live television, Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid revealed that he had been unfaithful to his girlfriend, just moments after claiming a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics.

The 28-year-old biathlete, who secured his first individual Olympic medal in the 20km individual biathlon at Milan-Cortina, acknowledged that he had an affair three months prior, describing it as his most significant error.

Laegreid described the past week as "the worst of my life" since confessing the infidelity to his girlfriend of six months.

During an interview with NRK, Norway's public broadcaster, Laegreid expressed his desire to share the moment with someone special, hinting that this person might not be watching.

Laegreid explained that he met the love of his life six months ago, but made a grave mistake by cheating on her three months later, calling it his "biggest mistake".

Despite his accomplishments, Laegreid stated that he prioritizes his personal life, saying he considers his girlfriend to be the greatest treasure, and he only has eyes for her.

Laegreid admitted that his recent personal struggles had taken precedence over his athletic pursuits, saying "sport has come second these last few days" and expressing his wish to share this moment with his girlfriend.

In a subsequent interview with the Norwegian newspaper VG, Laegreid explained that his approach to resolving the situation was to be transparent and honest, hoping that his girlfriend could find it in her heart to forgive him.

By sharing his story publicly, Laegreid feels he has nothing left to lose, having already confessed his mistakes to his girlfriend and now to the world.

Laegreid aspires to be a positive role model but recognizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from his mistakes.

A visibly upset Laegreid was consoled by his fellow Norwegian athlete, Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold.

Laegreid finished third in the biathlon event, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, behind his Norwegian teammate Johan-Olav Botn and France's Eric Perrot.

This bronze medal marks Laegreid's second Olympic medal, following his gold medal win in the relay event at the 2022 Games.

During a news conference, Laegreid expressed concern that his personal revelation might have overshadowed Johan-Olav Botn's victory, saying he hoped he hadn't ruined the champion's day.

Laegreid acknowledged that publicly disclosing his infidelity might not have been the best decision, but it was a choice he felt compelled to make.

By sharing his story, Laegreid hopes that his girlfriend will understand the depth of his feelings for her and potentially give him another chance, even if it's a long shot.

Laegreid wishes to avoid drawing attention away from the Olympic achievements, hoping that his personal story will be a short-lived topic of discussion.

Former biathlete and current NRK commentator Johannes Thingnes Boe questioned the timing of Laegreid's public admission, finding it unexpected.

Boe, a former teammate of Laegreid, criticized the timing and setting of the confession, stating that while Laegreid showed remorse, the moment and place were not ideal.

As Johan-Olav Botn crossed the finish line to claim the gold medal, he dedicated his victory to his late teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken.

Bakken's death on December 23 in a hotel room in northern Italy, near the biathlon venue, had a profound impact on the team.

Botn described the experience of winning as if he were racing alongside his late teammate, feeling a sense of togetherness as he crossed the finish line.

Laegreid also paid tribute to Bakken, saying that he and his fellow competitors felt the presence of their late teammate, dedicating the race to his memory.

A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available for those looking to stay up-to-date with the events.

The full schedule of the Winter Olympics, including the timing of medal events, can be found online.

The current Winter Olympics 2026 medal table is available for tracking the progress of the games.