In a press release reported by Norwegian newspaper VG, his family and Rikshospitalet confirmed that Olaf Tufte died from acute cardiac arrest.
The statement identified cardiac arrest as the cause of the double Olympic champion’s death, while saying his family was awaiting final answers from an autopsy. The family will not comment further on the medical circumstances.
“The family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has shown patience and understanding regarding the question of the cause of death,” the statement said.
On Monday 20 July, Tufte was discovered unconscious at Tufte Gård, the family farm, at about 3pm. Health personnel arrived quickly and started life-saving first aid before he was flown to Oslo National Hospital Rikshospitalet for further treatment.
He was declared dead at the hospital on Tuesday 21 July, aged 50. He leaves behind his wife, Aina, and their two children.
Horten Roklubb remembers Tufte
On Thursday evening, members of Horten Roklubb gathered at the club where Tufte began rowing as a 17-year-old. Rowers took to the water at 6pm for what the club described as a final outing in his memory, while those assembled on the quay applauded.
Bjørn-Inge Pettersen, Tufte’s first rowing coach, told VG that the turnout meant an enormous amount to the club and to Tufte’s family.
“He has had, and still has, a big place in my heart,” Pettersen said. “A warm, warm, warm person.”
Tufte’s former Olympic teammate Kjetil Borch was clearly moved when he spoke to the crowds, before the crews went afloat.
“Olaf, now everyone sheds tears for you. Even though you are gone, you live on in this club, in this sport that you love so much and in all our hearts. We will take our last rowing trip where you took your first steps,” said Borch, choked with emotion.
“Olaf, I also know that you shed a few tears with a wistful smile. Where you take your last holds, where they lift themselves out of the water and where the sculler slowly but surely glides into the world’s most beautiful sunset.”
The ceremony ended with one minute of applause.
Funeral set for 31 July
Tufte’s funeral will take place at Horten Church at noon on Friday 31 July, the family confirmed in a separate statement.
“The family would also like to thank everyone for the condolences, warm thoughts and kind words from both Norway and abroad following Olaf Tufte’s death,” the family said.
Tufte took part in seven Olympic Games from Atlanta 1996 to Tokyo 2021. He collected men’s single sculls gold in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, plus men’s double sculls silver alongside Fredrik Bekken in Sydney 2000 and bronze with Borch in Rio 2016.
