Олимпийская биатлонистка откровенно рассказывает о личных трудностях после победы

ANTERSELVA, Italy — In an unexpected moment of vulnerability, Sturla Holm Laegreid, the Norwegian biathlete who won a bronze medal in the men’s Olympic biathlon, veered from the typical celebratory postrace interviews to share a personal revelation: he had been unfaithful to his girlfriend. During a live broadcast with NRK after the 20-kilometer individual race, Laegreid, fighting back tears, confessed to having cheated on the woman he described as the 'love of his life.' His admission came as a shock to many, as he recounted meeting her six months prior and having disclosed his infidelity just a week before the competition. Laegreid spoke candidly about the impact of his actions, stating, 'I’m sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her.' He elaborated that the weight of his personal turmoil has overshadowed his athletic endeavors, adding an emotional layer to his postrace reflections. 'Sport has taken a back seat in recent days. I wish I could share this with her,' he continued. In the same race, Laegreid’s teammate Johan-Olav Botn achieved a flawless performance, securing the gold medal without missing a single target. France's Eric Perrot, the overall World Cup leader, followed closely with one missed shot to secure the silver, finishing just 14.8 seconds after Botn. Despite Laegreid's strong performance, missing only one target and completing his race 48.3 seconds behind his teammate, his focus diverged from the typical jubilation of Olympic success. Laegreid's confession, he explained in a subsequent news conference, was a deliberate choice in hopes of demonstrating sincerity to his partner. 'It was the choice I made. We make different choices during our life, and that’s how we make life,' he stated before a full room of journalists. His hopes were that his public admission might influence how his girlfriend perceives the depth of his feelings even through his transgression. 'Maybe, maybe there is a chance she will see what she really means to me. Maybe not.' Concerned he might have overshadowed his teammate's achievement, Laegreid reflected on the timing of his announcement. He expressed a worry that his personal crisis could distract from Botn's victory, acknowledging the gravity and potential selfishness of his actions during such a pivotal moment in their careers. 'Now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day,' he concluded. 'Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. I’m not really here, mentally.' Indeed, Laegreid’s first individual Olympic medal, while a significant milestone, has been intricately entwined with his emotional narrative, presenting a vivid intersection of personal and professional life on the world stage.