Olympic icon dies after ‘best hero’ discovered unconscious and rushed to hospital
An Olympic icon, who was hailed as one of his country’s greatest heroes, has tragically died after he was found unconscious at his family farm
Olaf Tufte, 50, has died(Image: Streeter Lecka)
An Olympic icon has tragically died after he was found unconscious at his family farm.
Olaf Tufte, 50, was hailed as one of Norway’s greatest heroes – and he won two gold medals across seven Olympics during a glittering rowing career. Alongside gold in single sculls in Athens and Beijing, he won silver in 2000 and bronze in 2016.
According to Norwegian media, he was found unconscious at his family farm and transported to a hospital in Oslo, where he died. Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said: “Tufte brought immense joy through sport to us as a nation.
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“He was one of Norway’s greatest sporting heroes, a decorated Summer Olympian, one of the finest rowers we have ever had, and a great role model to many.”
While World Rowing added: “‘He closed out his competitive career at the Tokyo Olympics at age 45, rowing in the men’s quadruple sculls alongside teammates young enough to have been born after his own Olympic debut.
“The veteran mentor, still on the water, still leading by example.
“Alongside his rowing, Tufte ran the family farm, worked as a volunteer firefighter, and built businesses including a concrete company, the clothing brand Tufte Wear and a brewery.”
After ending his own career, Tufte moved into coaching for the 2024 Paralympic Games, held in Paris, where he helped Birgit Skarstein to a silver medal.
Former rival Mahe Drysdale, paid a touching tribute to Dagbladet: “I was in shock. I simply did not believe it. Olaf was a titan. He seemed invincible. This is a huge shock, both for me personally and for the entire rowing community.
“Olaf was the driving force behind the friendships between us rowers. Only we knew what the others had been through on the road to a championship.
“We were fierce rivals, but at the same time best friends. It was a way of showing respect and understanding. He was a tremendous athlete. But he was even greater as a friend.
“He had a very special ability to make everyone feel important. He brought people together. He was the glue in our environment and the driving force behind the community.
“He never stopped. He simply couldn’t sit still. He was active all the time.”
