Laegreid, a seven-time world champion, became emotional on the podium as he accepted his bronze

Norwegian biathlete Sturla Holm Laegreid confessed on live television to cheating on his girlfriend moments after winning bronze in the Winter Olympics.

The 28-year-old, who won his first individual Olympic medal in the 20km individual biathlon at Milan-Cortina, admitted he had an affair three months ago and called it "my biggest mistake".

Laegreid said it had been "the worst week of my life" since he told his girlfriend of six months about the affair.

"There's someone I wanted to share it with who might not be watching," he told NRK, Norway's state broadcaster.