Olaf Tufte has passed away at the age of 50. Family spokesperson Per Eftang has confirmed the news to Norwegian media outlet "Dagbladet".
"Olaf Tufte was found unconscious at Tufte Farm around 15.00 CET yesterday. Medical personnel arrived quickly at the scene, and life-saving first aid was administered. Tufte was airlifted to the hospital for further treatment. There were no witnesses to the incident. There was no suspicion of a workplace accident," says the family.
Tufte was pronounced dead on Tuesday.
Throughout a long career, Tufte won two Olympic gold medals for Norway, one in Athens in 2004 and one in Beijing in 2008, both in the single sculls. In addition, he won a silver medal in Sydney in 2000 and a bronze medal in Rio in 2016, both in double sculls.
He is the only Norwegian to have competed in seven Olympic Games.