The sports fraternity is plunged into grief over a heart-wrenching loss, as Olympian Audun Groenvold, who secured a bronze medal in men's ski cross at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, passed away on July 15 following a devastating lightning strike, according to an announcement by the Norwegian Ski Federation. He was 49 years old.
"With profound sorrow, we have learned of Audun Groenvold's untimely demise," the federation lamented in a statement translated from Norwegian on July 16. "The former national alpine and ski cross athlete was tragically struck by lightning during a cabin retreat."
The organization further revealed that Groenvold was "promptly rushed to the hospital for treatment of the injuries inflicted by the lightning strike," but despite all efforts, he could not be saved.
Groenvold embarked on his storied career as a member of Norway's national alpine skiing team from the 1993/1994 season to the 2003/2004 season, achieving a notable third-place finish at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup finals in Spain in 1999.
He later ventured into freestyle skiing and ski cross, culminating in a bronze medal at the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships in 2005 and a Ski Cross World Cup victory two years thereafter. Following his Olympic feat in 2010, Groenvold donned multiple hats as a national team coach, TV commentator, and board member of the Norwegian Ski Association.
In the aftermath of Groenvold's passing, Tove Moe Dyrhaug, president of the Norwegian Ski Federation, hailed him as "a prominent figure who left an indelible mark on both the alpine and freestyle communities."
"Audun carved out a stellar career in alpine skiing and ski cross before transitioning into the role of national ski cross coach," Dyrhaug said in the release translated from Norwegian, adding that the late athlete's demise has left "a gaping void."
Groenvold is mourned by his wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, and their three children.
