Farewell to Olaf Tufte. The rowing legend was 50 years old
The rowing world is in mourning following the death of Olaf Tufte. The Norwegian, a true legend in his sport, died at the age of 50 at Rikshospitalet in Oslo, where he had been rushed after being found unconscious on his farm.
At the Olympics, Tufte won two gold medals in the single sculls at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and a silver medal in the double sculls at Sydney 2000. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games—his sixth Olympics—he won a bronze medal in the double sculls alongside Kjetil Borch.
The Norwegian Rowing Federation issued an official statement: “It is with deep sorrow that the Norwegian Rowing Federation has learned the sad news of the passing of Olaf Tufte.”
“Our thoughts are with Olaf’s family during this painful time. He was a wonderful father, person, and athlete. He was always passionately dedicated to those around him and to rowing. Olaf was a rowing legend, driven by a tireless desire to improve in every aspect.”
“It is an immense and heartbreaking sorrow to learn this sad news. He had been in Årungen last Friday, where he shared his knowledge with some of the promising rowers who will represent Norway this summer. As always, Olaf was a positive and energetic person. His passing is simply unimaginable. May his memory be blessed.”
“A tragic loss for the world of Olympic rowing. Olaf Tufte, the legendary Norwegian rower with a top-tier record that included seven Olympic appearances, passed away today at Rikshospitalet in Oslo—according to a statement from the Italian Rowing Federation. He turned 50 in April, Tufte, during his Olympic appearances (from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2020), won gold medals in the single sculls at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, silver in the double sculls at Sydney 2000, and bronze—also in the double sculls—at Rio, at the age of 40. With two golds, one silver, and three bronzes at the World Rowing Championships, Tufte retired from the world of rowing in recent years and devoted herself to her clothing line, Tufte Wear.”
