ROSA KHUTOR, Russia, Feb 8 — The brother of Norwegian cross-country skier Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen died on the same day as the opening ceremony at the Sochi Olympics, team officials said today.

The Norwegian team issued a statement confirming the death but did not provide any further details.

“On Friday, Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen suddenly and unexpectedly lost her brother and training partner,” team officials said in the release.

“The cross-country team has been assembled to comfort Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen in a difficult situation.”

Jacobsen, currently second in the overall World Cup standings, did not take part in the skiathlon event today, and it was not immediately clear whether she would compete in Sochi. — Reuters