Olympics legend Olaf Tufte dies aged 50: Tributes pour in for two-time rowing champion after he was found unconscious on family farm

Published: 12:42, 22 July 2026 | Updated: 13:21, 22 July 2026 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.  He also claimed silver in the double sculls at Sydney in 2000 and a bronze in the same event at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.  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.' Two-time Olympic gold medallist rower Olaf Tufte from Norway has died aged 50  He competed in seven consecutive Olympic Games between 1996 in Atlanta and Tokyo 2021 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.'  Tufte's Olympic career spanned from the 1996 Games in Atlanta to the 2021 edition in Tokyo.  But he wasn't done there. After hanging up his sculls, Tufte went into coaching for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris and helped Birgit Skarstein to a silver medal. Beyond the Olympics, he earned six World Championship medals, two of them gold. Rowing was not just the sport he loved - it was a way of life.  'I know what I do, I know the rowing family, and I managed to do rowing as a lifestyle, not as a moment,' he once told World Rowing.  Tributes have been pouring in for the Norwegian hero. Tributes have been pouring in for the legendary Norwegian athlete, who also ran a farm  A former rival, Mahe Drysdale, told 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.'  Norwegian rally driver Petter Solberg added: 'Life can sometimes be so unpredictable and unfair. Today, heaven gained a new star – one of its greatest. To most people, Olaf Tufte was a two-time Olympic champion and two-time World Champion in rowing. One of the strongest rowers the world has ever seen, and a legend of Norwegian sports. 'To me, Olaf was also a role model. A friend, a truly great guy, an inspiration and a genuinely wonderful human being. You will remain in my heart forever, Olaf'. Your browser does not support iframes.