The mystery woman at the centre of a Winter Olympian’s extraordinary public attempt to win her back has admitted that she is struggling to forgive his cheating behaviour.
Sturla Holm Lægreid, who took the bronze medal in Tuesday’s 20km individual race, revealed during a tearful post-race interview that he hadbeen unfaithful to his girlfriend but that she was still the love of his life.
He had confessed the infidelity to her last week, causing the relationship to end, but then attempted to win her back in an interview that has since become global news.
Lægreid did not name the woman, but she responded anonymously to the Norwegian newspaper VG. “It’s hard to forgive,” she said.
“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.
“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 sympathised, without knowing who I am.”
Sturla Holm Lægreid admitted to cheating on his girlfriend, seeking forgiveness in a public interview. Photo / Getty Images
The woman also stressed that she was touched to see how Lægreid’s teammate, Johan-Olav Botn, dedicated his victory in the race to Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who was found dead in December. “It was touching to see that Sivert was included in the victory,” she said.
Lægreid, who said that the infidelity happened three months ago, had said: “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.”
The 28-year-old had given his interview in the aftermath of the race to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK and then, with the story going viral, expressed concern that he had detracted from Botn’s victory.
“Of course, now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day,” he said. “I don’t know if it was the right choice or not, but it was the choice I made. 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. We were five guys on the start line, and one of them was watching from above. This was for Sivert, really.”
Lægreid, who won gold in the relay in Beijing four years ago, is also a previous seven-time world champion. Botn pointed to the sky as he crossed the line in memory of Bakken.
“I was racing with him the entire last loop,” he said. “And, yeah, it was more like a feeling of crossing the finish line together, and seeing the No 1 beside my name was really special.”
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