ANTERSELVA, ITALY, Feb 11 (Reuters) – Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid apologized to his gold medal-winning teammate Johan-Olav Botn after stealing the spotlight in a stunning post-race interview on Tuesday, admitting he had cheated on his girlfriend.
Laegreid, who took bronze in the men’s Olympic 20km individual race, cried as he told Norwegian state broadcaster NRK that he had been unfaithful and that his girlfriend had ended the relationship when he told her about it.
Laegreid’s admission sparked a barrage of criticism from some of the biggest names in Norwegian sport.
“The time, place and timing were completely wrong,” biathlon great and Laegreid’s former teammate Johannes Thingnes Boe, who won four gold medals at the Beijing Games, said in NRK’s Olympic broadcast.
Therese Johaug, a four-time Olympic cross-country skiing champion, agreed.
“I’ve never seen an interview like this. It’s completely the wrong time and place to do it,” she said on the same show.
Botn dedicated his victory to Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who died in December.
Former cross-country skier Petter Northug, who was at the center of several alcohol and drug controversies during and after his glittering career, praised Botn on social media before targeting Laegreid.
“Johan-Olav Botn, a training product who spent endless hours to reach the top. A tribute to his late friend Sivert. Strong!” he wrote about
Laegreid later asked Botn’s forgiveness at the post-race media conference, but said he stood by his choice.
“I apologize if I ruined your day, but I think you understand,” Laegreid told Botn as the medalists answered questions from the media.
“I don’t know. I stand by my choice. It is a choice I have made in life. I have understood it very well and I see it myself. As I said, this is Johan’s day and it is a shame that this has to be the focus.”
Botn said he wasn’t worried about Laegreid stealing headlines.
“I’m not getting involved. For me, this is primarily a personal victory – how much space it gets (in the media) doesn’t really matter to me,” he said.
