Sturla Lægreid, who secured a bronze medal in the normal distance race in biathlon, has stirred controversy after disclosing that he cheated on his longtime girlfriend three months prior. This revelation, shared immediately following the competition, has captured significant attention and shifted the narrative from the sporting event itself to Lægreid's personal life. His admission has resulted in a media frenzy surrounding his actions, overshadowing the achievements of his fellow competitors.

In response to the backlash, Lægreid expressed deep regret for sharing his personal story during a significant event for Norwegian biathlon. He stated, "I am deeply sorry that I brought this personal story into the spotlight on Norway's biathlon celebration day." The athlete acknowledged that he was not in the right frame of mind during the comments and reiterated his remorse, particularly towards the race winner Johan-Olav Botn and the second-place finisher Èric Perrot, for drawing attention away from their accomplishments.

Lægreid also extended apologies to his ex-girlfriend, who unintentionally became part of the media's focus due to his remarks. He emphasized his desire to move forward and concentrate on the Olympics, insisting that he would not be addressing further questions about the incident. This unfolding scandal raises questions about the impact of personal controversies on professional athletes, especially in the lead-up to significant competitions such as the Olympics.