Three -time Olympic champion in Biathlon Norwegian Halvard Hanvold died at 49

The three-time Olympic champion in Biathlon Norwegian Halvard Hanvold died in the 50th year of his life. His death was a severe loss for the entire world biathlon.

According to the local publication, Budstikka , the former athlete was found dead morning on Tuesday at home in Asker. The causes of death are not yet called. He has a wife and two children.

"This is a sad day for the Norwegian biathlon. Hanvold remained the honor of the biathlon community after his career," said the president of the Norwegian Biathlon Union Arne Horten.

Hanvold began to engage in biathlon at the age of 15 and was known for his unusual skiing, for which he was often called "crab". He has three Olympic gold medals, which he won in an individual race for 20 km in 1998, as well as in relay races 4x7.5 km in 2002 and 2010. He also became the world champion five times.

Halvard ended his career in 2010 at the age of 40. After leaving the sport, he worked as an expert on Norwegian television. In February 2019, he participated in the “Biathlon Legend Race” in Raubichi.

“We often competed with each other, but there were friendly relations between us,” recalls in an interview with TASS a two -time Olympic champion Sergey Chepikov. “Not so long ago, this winter, we performed in the“ Race of Legends. ”It is hard to hear that he was no longer young, energetic, was in a good sports form. This is a difficult loss for Norwegian and world biathlon ".

"Deeply depressed of the news of the death of Hanvold. When I was young, he was one of my guidelines, in 2010, for me, then a kid was a great honor to fight him on the same highway on games in Vancouver. Great athlete, a beautiful and bright man. A huge loss for biathlon, resting with the world," the Olympic champion wrote on Instagram. Shipulin.