“My apologies go to Johan-Olav, who deserved all the attention after winning gold. They also go to my ex-girlfriend, who unwillingly ended up in the media spotlight.

“I hope she is doing well. I cannot undo this, but I will now put it behind me and focus on the Olympics. I will not answer any further questions about this.”

The statement also said he regretted overshadowing his teammate’s win. Fellow Norwegian Johan-Olav Botn won gold and dedicated the win to a fellow teammate, Sivert Guttorm Bakke, who died last year.

Speaking anonymously to the Norwegian newspaper VG, the ex-girlfriend said she did not ask for the attention.

“It’s hard to forgive. Even after a declaration of love in front of the whole world.

“We have been in contact, and he is aware of my feelings about this.”

The viral media moment was sparked in the moments after Laegreid won bronze and was interviewed live on television.

“Six months ago, I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful, sweetest person. And three months ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her.”

The bizarre clip quickly went viral as fans reacted to the star athlete’s desperate appeals to his scorned lover.

During a news conference after his declaration of love and cheating, he explained why he made the admission.

“It was the choice I made. We make different choices during our life, and that’s how we make life,” he said. “So today I made a choice to tell the world what I did, so maybe, maybe there is a chance she will see what she really means to me. Maybe not.”