That's not the Norway

All I know about cheating on a significant other is that I never did it, but as a former country music DJ, I can play you plenty of songs about it.

The existentialist in me would say, if you're not in love anymore, end it and move along. But Sturla Holm Laegreid, the Norwegian skier, does not roll that way. He won the bronze in the 20km individual biathlon race at the Winter Olympics, and then bellyached that he couldn't really enjoy his third-place finish, what with his heart hanging heavy since he cheated on his girlfriend.

“It’s been the worst week of my life,” he told Norwegian broadcast outlet NRK.

“There’s someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching. Six months ago, I met the love of my life — the most beautiful and kindest person in the world. Three months ago, I made my biggest mistake and cheated on her."

He goes on:  “I had the gold medal in life, and I am sure there are many people who will see things differently, but I only have eyes for her. Sport has come second these last few days. Yes, I wish I could share this with her,” he claimed. He would not say the name of the ex.

At the après-ski press gathering (I have waited for years to have some reason to use the term "après-ski"!) he lamented, “Of course, now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day,” (Johan-Olav Botn, his fellow Norwegian, won gold in the event.) “I don’t know if it was the right choice or not, but it was the choice I made."

Speaking of the woman he claims to adore with all his Nordic heart, he said, “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. My only way to solve it is to tell everything and put everything on the table, and hope that she can still love me.”

And here I was, thinking that these European skiers were the strong, silent types, taciturn, letting their skiing do the talking. The way this guy yammers on, it's a wonder he has the energy to pull on his ski boots.

OK, Sturla, here it is: you don't get a medal for cheating on your love. You're not supposed to do that! If she takes you back, she will always remember your treachery and deceit. That will put a permanent crimp in your get-along.

Next time, with whomever, try to keep it in your ski pants.