Two-time Olympic rowing champion Olaf Tufte dies at 51

Olaf Tufte, a celebrated two-time Olympic rowing champion, has died in Norway at the age of 51. His family has not yet released the exact causes of his death. Tufte was discovered unconscious at his farm, and despite being transported to the hospital, medical professionals were unable to save him.

During his distinguished career, Tufte competed in seven Olympic Games, from Atlanta in 1996 to Tokyo in 2021. He amassed an impressive collection of medals, including two gold, one silver, and one bronze. He secured his Olympic champion titles in the single sculls at the Athens Games in 2004 and again four years later in Beijing. In Sydney 2000, he won silver alongside his partner, while in Rio de Janeiro 2016, he earned a bronze medal in the double sculls.

Tufte's final Olympic appearance was at the Tokyo 2021 Games, where he competed in the men's four without a coxswain at the age of 45, finishing ninth. Beyond the Olympics, he also achieved significant success at World Championships, winning two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.

He was not only a fierce competitor on the water but also a close friend and best man at the wedding of Slovenian Olympic champion Iztok Čop. The two athletes, who were rivals for many years, had even considered competing together in the double sculls over 15 years ago.