Olympic medalist dies in tragic lightning strike during trip
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An Olympic medalist has died after being struck by lightning.
Alpine skier and ski cross athlete Audun Groenvold was struck by lightning during a "cabin trip," the Norwegian Ski Federation announced on Wednesday. He was 49.
"It is with great sadness that we have received the news of Audun Groenvold's untimely passing," the federation said. "The former national Alpine skier and ski cross athlete was recently struck by lightning during a cabin trip."
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Audun Groenvold (NOR) competes during the mens freestyle skiing ski cross qualifying at Cypress Mountain in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)
The federation said Groenvold was "quickly taken to hospital and received treatment for the injuries he sustained in the lightning strike" and then died Tuesday night.
Groenvold was struck by the bolt on Saturday.
Groenvold was a member of Norway's Alpine skiing team before he moved into freestyle and ski cross in 2004. He earned a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
He had one podium finish as a World Cup Alpine skier, finishing third in a downhill in Sierra Nevada, Spain, in 1999. He also won a bronze medal in ski cross at the 2005 world championships, and the overall ski cross cup in 2007.
After his career ended, he became a national team coach and a TV commentator.
Bronze medalist Audun Groenvold (NOR), left, on the podium during a medals ceremony for the mens ski cross at BC Place during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. (Guy Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports)
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