Olympic medalist Audun Groenvold died after being struck by lightning on July 15 while on a cabin trip. According to the Norwegian Ski Federation, he was immediately taken to hospital but was pronounced dead a few hours later.
Groenvold is 49 years old and is a well-known athlete in alpine skiing and ski cross. He is one of the prominent members of the sports community in Norway. At the Vancouver Olympics 2010, he won bronze in men's ski cross.
He was part of Norway’s national alpine team from 1993 to 2004 before switching to freestyle and ski cross. After his Olympic career, he became a coach, TV commentator, and board member of the Norwegian Ski Association.
According to Tove Moe Dyrhaug, president of the Norwegian Ski Federation, Groenvold was an important figure in the world of skiing and his loss left a huge gap in the community.
He is survived by his wife, Kristin Tandberg Haugsjå, and their three children.
