The former girlfriend of Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Rägglid has expressed that forgiving him for his infidelity is “difficult.” She also criticized him for making their personal heartbreak a public spectacle during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“It’s tough to forgive, especially after you confess your love in front of everyone,” she shared, opting to remain anonymous, as reported by Norwegian tabloid VG.
Her reaction came into focus following Rägglid’s bronze medal win in the men’s 20km biathlon, during which he admitted to having cheated in a very emotional interview.
“I didn’t choose to be in this position,” she remarked. “It’s painful to find yourself here.” She mentioned that they have communicated, and he understands how she feels about the situation.
She expressed gratitude towards her family and friends for their support during this challenging time.
“To my loved ones who have stood by me and to those who empathized with me, even without knowing me, I’m grateful,” she stated.
After his stunning performance on Tuesday, Rägglid shocked many viewers by confessing live on air about his infidelity, turning an anticipated celebration into what he referred to as “the worst week of my life.”
In an emotional interview, he said, “Six months ago, I met the love of my life. Three months ago, I made a terrible mistake and cheated on my girlfriend.”
Later on, Rägglid claimed he had confessed to her about the affair a week prior and mentioned that he hadn’t received any response from her after it became public.
“I’m content if she hasn’t seen it yet. Perhaps she’ll discover it at the right moment,” he noted. “I just hope I’m not making things worse for her. Maybe this will help. We’ll see.”
He mentioned he was still processing the events of the past week, while hoping for a positive outcome for both of them.
Rägglid felt he needed to publicly share his revelation, stating he went live to “drop this bomb.” He added, “I have nothing to lose now. She may already hate me, but I hope this shows her how much I love her.”
Considered one of the leading biathletes worldwide, Rägglid is a six-time world champion and holds multiple accolades, including the 2024-2025 overall World Cup title and the 2022 Olympic relay victory.
Despite the excitement of winning the bronze medal, Rägglid admitted it felt insignificant if it meant losing her.
“Winning a gold medal in life is what truly matters,” he said. “I know many might see it differently, but my focus is solely on her. Sports has become secondary these past few days. I wish I could celebrate this with her.”
He remarked, “Maybe by throwing away my reputation, I can convey how much I love her. I accept the consequences of my actions and truly regret what I did.”
Despite the emotional turmoil, he revealed that a heartfelt video from his home club motivated him to keep competing.
“I aim to set a good example, but I have to own up to my mistakes,” he stated. “You must acknowledge when you’ve wronged someone you deeply care for.”
