Olympic skier dies after lightning strike on holiday

Norwegian Olympic bronze medallist Audun Grønvold has died after being struck by lightning while on vacation with his family. He was 49. Grønvold, a former professional freestyle skier and Alpine racer, earned a bronze medal for Norway in ski cross at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Before turning to freestyle skiing, he competed as part of Norway’s national Alpine skiing team, winning back-to-back downhill golds at the Norwegian National Championships in 2003 and 2004. After retiring from competition shortly after his Olympic success, Grønvold remained closely involved in the sport as a national team coach and TV commentator, according to CNN. Tragedy struck while Grønvold was spending time at a cabin with his wife and their three children. He was hit by lightning and rushed to hospital, but despite emergency treatment, he died on Tuesday, July 15. The Norwegian Ski Federation confirmed his passing in a statement the following day. “It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Grønvold’s untimely passing,” the federation said. “The former national alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip,” the statement continued. “He was quickly taken to hospital and received treatment for the injuries he sustained in… CONTINUE READING…