Just before the Olympics: A tragic blow for winter sports star

The Winter Olympics begin next week in Milan and Cortina. A star of the winter sports scene had to cope with a tragic loss just before the Games.

February 01, 2026

From: sn

The Olympic Games are just around the corner – and with them, the biggest highlight a winter sports athlete can experience. However, Norwegian Johann Andre Forfang has been struck by tragedy just before this major event: the star ski jumper lost his father this weekend.

The 2018 Olympic team champion announced the news in an emotional Instagram post. "Last night (Saturday), Dad passed away peacefully after a brave battle against cancer lasting over a year. Words cannot describe the emptiness he leaves behind. Dad was my hero and my moral compass," he wrote in a tragic post.

Johann Andre Forfang is a top ski jumper from Norway. © APA/afp / GEIR OLSEN

Forfang is one of the best ski jumpers in the world – and this weekend he is undoubtedly the bravest. Despite this tragic loss, the 20-time World Cup winner is participating in the World Cup competition in Willingen, Germany. "His last wish was that I continue ski jumping and go to the Olympic Games. And that's exactly what I will do," Forfang writes.

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A post shared by Johann Forfang (@johannforfang)

The Norwegian winter sports star is part of his country's Olympic team. In Predazzo, where the ski jumping medals will be awarded, Forfang wants to jump in honor of his father. "Thank you for everything, my dear, wonderful dad. Rest in peace," the ski jumper concludes his emotional post.

Keywords Winter sports Alpine skiing Johann André Forfang