Making international news for your affair didn't get this Olympian very far.
On Tuesday, February 10, Norwegian Olympian Sturla Holm Lægreid turned heads when, right as he was celebrating his bronze medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics, he used his first speech to declare his regret for cheating on his now ex-girlfriend.
"There's someone I wanted to share this with who might not be watching today," he told a reporter on live TV, adding: "Six months ago, I met the love of my life and the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. And three months ago. I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her."
© Getty ImagesNow, the very ex-girlfriend he publicly apologized to is speaking out, albeit anonymously, though it doesn't seem his public declaration did much.
The ex-girlfriend, who decided to keep her name private, speaking with Norwegian outlet VG said the cheating is "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," she added, noting: "We have had contact and he is aware of my opinions on this."
Though the affair happened three months ago, the ex has now shared she only learned of it prior to the Winter Olympics.
"I told her a week ago, and then it ended, of course. I'm not ready to give up. I hope that committing social suicide maybe shows how much I love her. I'm taking the consequences for what I've done. I regret it with all my heart," Sturla further shared about why he made the cheating public.
Now, the ex-girlfriend is hoping to stay out of the public eye, and continue relishing in the support her family and friends have offered.
© Getty ImagesExpressing her gratitude, she said: "[Thank you] to my family and friends who have embraced me and supported me during this time. Also to everyone else who has thought of me and sympathized, without knowing who I am."
Sturla previously called the lead up to his admission the "worst week of my life," noting: "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, but sports have been in a different line in recent days. So, I wish I could share it with her."
"I don't know if it was the right choice or not, but it was the choice I made," he later said during a subsequent press conference, about divulging the affair. "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 … I don't want to steal the show. I hope this is just like a day-or-two thing. Then you are an Olympic gold medallist forever."
