# Olaf Tufte death and tributes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/olaf-tufte-death-and-tribute > Updated: 2026-07-30T05:49:36.000Z. Sources: 47. Developments: 3. On 21 July 2026, two‑time Olympic rowing champion Olaf Tufte was found unconscious at his farm near Horten (Nykirke) and died after being air‑lifted to Rikshospitalet. The 50‑year‑old five‑time Olympian had won two gold, one silver and one bronze medals and was a prominent figure in Norwegian sport. On 23 July the Horten Roklubb held a memorial service at the club house, beginning at 17:00. Coach Bjørn‑Inge Pettersen, who first trained Tufte, and club chairman Espen Thorsen addressed a large turnout. At 18:00 rowers performed a final ceremonial row on the water, while the Norwegian flag was flown at half‑mast. National mourning followed. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described Tufte as “one of Norway’s foremost sports heroes.” Culture and Equality Minister Lubna Jaffery, Paralympic rower Birgit Skarstein, Sports President Zaineb Al‑Samarai and the French rowing magazine *Magaviron* all paid tribute to his legacy. A funeral and burial took place at Horten Church on 31 July 2026. Around 150 rowers, fellow athletes and musicians attended, with performances by Bjarne Brøndbo, DDE and singer‑actress Jannicke Kruse. Birgit Skarstein spoke of the "large hole" his loss leaves. Tufte is survived by his wife Aina and their two children. ## Claims - His burial took place on 31 July 2026 at Horten Church in Norway. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Olaf Tufte died on 21 July 2026 of acute heart failure at age 50. (corroborated by 4 sources) - He was a two‑time Olympic gold‑medalist who competed in seven Games from 1996 to 2021. (corroborated by 4 sources) - He is survived by his wife Aina Tufte and their two children. (corroborated by 4 sources) - He was found unconscious on his farm in Nykirke. (corroborated by 3 sources) - He was taken to Rikshospitalet where he could not be saved. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Performers at the funeral included Bjarne Brøndbo, DDE and Jannicke Kruse. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described him as one of Norway’s foremost sports heroes. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-30: Olaf Tufte buried in Horten, Norway Olaf Tufte, Norway’s two‑time Olympic gold‑medalist, died of acute heart failure on 21 July 2026 and was buried on 31 July at Horten Church, attended by officials, athletes and performers. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/norway-mourns-rowing-legend-olaf-tufte-after-sudden-death ### 2026-07-23: Norway’s rowing icon Olaf Tufte honoured at Horten club memorial Norway’s double Olympic rowing champion Olaf Tufte was memorialised on 23 July at Horten Roklubb, with a final row, speeches, and the flag at half‑mast before his funeral on 31 July. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/norways-rowing-icon-olaf-tufte-honoured-at-horten-club-memorial ### 2026-07-21: Norwegian rowing legend Olaf Tufte dies at 50 Olympic rowing icon Olaf Tufte, 50, died after being found unconscious on his farm; he was a double gold‑medallist and Norway’s most celebrated rower. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/norwegian-rowing-legend-olaf-tufte-dies-at-50 --- Cite as: Olaf Tufte death and tributes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/olaf-tufte-death-and-tribute