Bronze winning Olympian Audun Groenvold dies suddenly after being struck by lightning in Norway

Olympic medallist Audun Groenvold has died at the age of 49 after being struck by lightning during a family trip to a cabin in Norway. The shocking incident occurred on Tuesday evening, and though he was rushed to hospital, he tragically passed away shortly after arriving.

Groenvold, a beloved figure in Norwegian sport, won bronze in ski cross at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. His death was confirmed by the Norwegian Ski Federation, which described his loss as a devastating blow to the skiing community.

The athlete had been spending time at a family-owned cabin when the lightning struck. The precise location has not been disclosed, but the incident has sent shockwaves through the Norwegian sporting world.

Groenvold first rose to prominence in Alpine skiing, making his World Cup debut in 1999 with a podium finish in Sierra Nevada, Spain. However, it was his transition to freestyle skiing and ski cross in the late 1990s that defined his sporting legacy.

He quickly made a name for himself in the freestyle scene, securing a bronze medal at the 2005 Ski Cross World Championships. In 2007, he again came third in the overall ski cross cup rankings.

But it was the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver that marked the pinnacle of his career. Representing Norway, Groenvold powered through a fiercely competitive field to take bronze in the men’s ski cross event. Images from that day still capture his jubilation as he stood proudly on the podium.

After retiring from competitive skiing, Groenvold remained deeply involved in the sport. He served as Norway’s national ski cross coach and also worked as a respected sports commentator. His knowledge, experience, and love for skiing earned him admiration across disciplines, from Alpine to freestyle.

Tributes poured in following news of his sudden death. Tove Moe Dyrhaug, president of the Norwegian Ski Federation, said, “Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the Alpine and freestyle communities. Audun had a great career in both Alpine skiing and ski cross, before becoming the national ski cross coach. The Norwegian Ski Association also remembers his efforts on the ski board. There will be a big void after Audun.”

Marius Arnesen, who coached Groenvold in the early 2000s, expressed his grief to local newspaper Verdens Gang: “It’s just terribly sad and tragic. [He was] a thoughtful and wonderful boy who, when it comes to skiing, had a fantastic feeling for the surface in the snow.”

Born in Hamar, a lakeside town roughly 80 miles north of Oslo, Groenvold was known not just for his sporting achievements but also for his warmth and character. Those who knew him personally described him as grounded, driven, and full of integrity.

He is survived by his wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, and their three children.

As tributes continue to flood in, the skiing world mourns not just the loss of a champion, but of a mentor, teammate, and cherished friend. His legacy lives on in the athletes he coached, the fans he inspired, and the family he leaves behind.