Norwegian biathlete Johan-Olav Botn has gold medal win overshadowed by teammate Sturla Holm Lægreid’s narcissism

Dear Gossips,

If you were to have asked me ahead of the Olympics to predict which sport would give us the messiest romance gossip, I would have said figure skating – pretty sure many if not most others would say the same. Biathlon though? A mega longshot, not on the bingo card.

But this is where we are now: Norway’s Sturla Holm Lægreid won a bronze medal yesterday in the individual event and decided to go for the gold in notoriety when he revealed in a post-race interview that he cheated on his girlfriend three months ago.

@dailymailau Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Lægreid took home the bronze medal on Tuesday in the Men's 20km Individual race in the Winter Olympics in Italy. But despite his triumph, the sportsman was overcome by emotion after he admitted to being unfaithful to his girlfriend of six months while being interviewed after his big win. The Olympian explained that he had told his girlfriend about his infidelity a week ago. Lægreid went on to say that it had been 'the worst week of my life,' before tearfully declaring: 'I had a gold medal in my life...I only have eyes for her. I don't know what I want to achieve by saying this...I wish I could share it with her.' #olympics #cheating #relationships #news #fyp ♬ original sound - Daily Mail Australia

During a press conference afterwards he basically said he did what he had to do, acknowledging that his confession had completely overshadowed the athletes who came in first and second place (his teammates Johan-Olav Botn and France’s Eric Perrot, respectively), but still had no regrets.

“I made the choice to tell the world what I did so maybe there’s a chance she will see what she really means to me — maybe not, but I don’t want to think I didn’t try everything to get her back.”

What a narcissist, was my first reaction when I heard about his stunt. He’s made himself the main character, casting himself as both the villain and the victim. Sure, he’s prostrating himself on the world stage but it’s manipulative submission designed for sympathy. And, also, resulting in curiosity. Because of course, his ex-girlfriend has now been thrust into the spotlight. As expected, since his revelation, people have been wondering who she is, if she’s seen his desperate appeal, and how she’s reacting to it.

Norwegian newspaper VG has made contact with her, and she’s given them a written statement, while maintaining anonymity.

“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.”

The latest, now that Sturla has slept on it, is that he realises he should not have put his personal life on blast, because not only did his ex-girlfriend not want this kind of attention, it also meant that a more important story did not get the headlines it should have. In a new statement Sturla writes:

“I deeply regret that I brought up this personal story on what was a festive day for Norwegian biathlon. I am not quite myself today, and I am not thinking clearly.

As previously mentioned Sturla’s teammate, Johan-Olav Botn, won gold and he dedicated the victory immediately afterwards to fellow Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken who died recently, in December. Johan-Olav was the one who found him, they were really close. “Sivert, we did it” is what Johan said when he crossed the finish line.

A lot of people are aware of what Sturla did to his ex, fewer people are aware of what the gold medal meant to Johan-Olav and why. You know who was thinking of Johan-Olav and Sivert though? The ex-girlfriend, who began her statement by congratulating Johan-Olav and also noting that “it was touching to see that Sivert was included in the victory” before getting into her personal business, reluctantly.

It’s unimaginable what Johan-Olav has been through these last few weeks leading up to the Games, after training for four years, and then having to carry so much grief into the competition. His best friend was with him on that final loop though, I totally believe it.