Olympic skiing medallist Audun Groenvold of Norway died on Tuesday (15 July) after being struck by lightning, according to the Norwegian Ski Federation.
Groenvold, 49, won the bronze medal at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 in ski cross.
“It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Groenvold’s untimely passing,” the federation said on Wednesday, according to The Guardian. “The former national alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip.”
He was “quickly taken to hospital and received treatment for the injuries he sustained in the lightning strike,” the federation added.
In addition to his Olympic medal, he won bronze at the 2005 World Championships in ski cross.
“Norwegian skiing has lost a prominent figure, who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities,” federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said.