Olaf Tufte is buried today: – A mentor and a role model

Olaf Tufte, a celebrated Norwegian rower and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has passed away at the age of 50 following a cardiac arrest. His death has sent ripples of grief through the Norwegian sporting community.

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A mentor, a sparring partner, a friend, and a role model.

Martin Helseth, a younger rower who competed alongside Tufte in the double sculls at the Tokyo Olympics, shared his profound admiration for the late athlete. Helseth described Tufte not just as a competitor but as a crucial mentor, a supportive sparring partner, a true friend, and an inspirational role model. Tufte's influence was so significant that he was the primary reason Helseth pursued rowing with such dedication.

Helseth recalled the moment he first saw Tufte win Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, an event that ignited his own passion for the sport. Thirteen years later, Helseth found himself rowing in the same boat as his childhood hero during the Tokyo Olympics, Tufte's seventh and final Olympic appearance.

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I have always had him as a goal. Whether it was to be able to beat him one day, row in the same boat as him, or simply be as cool.

Despite Tufte's immense success and potential for a large ego, Helseth emphasized his humility and team-oriented spirit. He noted that Tufte excelled at building camaraderie and fostering a supportive environment within the team, often seeing the potential in others. Tufte's approach, though demanding, was ultimately aimed at the team's success, as he once humorously stated his goal was for them to 'hate me during, and love me in the end.'

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He was, in many ways, younger than all of us.

Tufte's funeral is set to take place on Friday at Horten Church. Helseth, currently on a rowing expedition that Tufte himself had helped him prepare for, will be unable to attend the service, highlighting the poignant circumstances surrounding his hero's passing.

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My goal is that you hate me during and love me in the end.