Olympic rowing legend Olaf Tufte has died aged 50 after an astonishing career which saw him win two gold medals and compete in seven Summer Games.
He was found unconscious at his family farm and transported to a hospital in Oslo, where he died, according to Norwegian media.
Tufte, who took gold in the single sculls in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, is survived by his wife and two children.
Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store said: ‘Tufte brought immense joy through sport to us as a nation.
‘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.’
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.’
More to follow.
