Norwegian rowing legend Olaf Tufte, a two-time Olympic champion who represented his country at seven consecutive Summer Games, has died at the age of 50.
Tufte was found unconscious at his family’s farm before emergency personnel rushed to the scene and began lifesaving treatment. He was airlifted to Rikshospitalet in Oslo, where he later died on Tuesday, July 21.
No witnesses were present, and authorities said there was no indication that his death was caused by an accident at the farm. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Tufte was widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in Norwegian history after building an extraordinary Olympic career that stretched across more than two decades.
He made his Olympic debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games before winning silver in the double sculls at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Tufte then reached the top of the podium in the single sculls at the 2004 Athens Games and successfully defended his title four years later at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He added another medal to his collection at the 2016 Rio Games, capturing bronze in the double sculls.
Tufte continued competing at the highest level well into his 40s. He made his seventh and final Olympic appearance at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, where he competed in the quadruple sculls at the age of 45 before retiring from elite competition.
His remarkable longevity and four Olympic medals made him one of Norway’s most celebrated sporting figures. He was also honored with the prestigious Thomas Keller Medal following his retirement after 26 years in international rowing.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre led the tributes following news of Tufte’s death.
“Tufte brought immense joy through sport to us as a nation,” Støre said, describing him as “one of Norway’s greatest sporting heroes.”
Away from the water, Tufte lived an unusually varied life. He operated his family’s farm, worked as a volunteer firefighter and founded the clothing company Tufte Wear.
He also remained involved in rowing after his own competitive career ended, coaching Paralympic star Birgit Skarstein, who won a silver medal under his guidance.
Former firefighting colleagues remembered Tufte as a humble, hardworking man who enjoyed being treated like an ordinary member of the team despite his national fame.
Tufte is survived by his wife, Aina, and their two children.