Sturla Holm Rägglid, an athlete from Norway, has publicly apologized for cheating on his former girlfriend during a live segment at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
He expressed regret for stealing attention from his bronze medal win and overshadowing teammate Johan Olba Botton’s gold medal celebration, calling it a “day of celebration for Norwegian biathletes.”
“I don’t feel like myself today, and my thoughts are not clear,” he mentioned in a statement. “I want to apologize to Johan Olaf, who truly deserved the spotlight after his gold medal victory.”
“This also extends to my ex-girlfriends who have been unexpectedly thrust into the media limelight,” Rägglid, 28, added. “I genuinely hope she’s alright.”
The biathlete, who competes in both rifle shooting and cross-country skiing, admitted that while he can’t change the past, he intends to move forward and focus on the Olympics. “I’m putting this behind me for the time being,” he said.
Interestingly, Rägglid revealed this during a post-race interview after the men’s 20km biathlon event, where he disclosed that he had been unfaithful to his ex after just three months of dating. He called it the “biggest mistake” of his life, mentioning that he couldn’t fully enjoy his victory without her presence.
“I won a gold medal in life. I know people’s perspectives may vary, but I can’t help but think of her,” he explained. “Sports have taken a backseat these past few days, and I wish I could share this with her.”
I suppose it’s natural, in some way, for emotions and personal issues to seep into moments meant to be about competition. “I’ll focus on the Olympics moving forward,” he reiterated.
His ex-girlfriend, choosing to remain anonymous, later commented on his confession, stating it was hard to find forgiveness, particularly after he publicly declared his love. “I didn’t choose to be in this situation, and it’s tough to navigate,” she said, alluding to their ongoing communication about the matter.
She expressed gratitude toward friends and family for their support during this challenging time, remarking on the kindness of those who showed concern for her, despite not knowing her personally.
