Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken has been found dead in his hotel room in Lavaze, Italy. The Norwegian Biathlon Association confirmed the 27-year-old's death, though the cause remains unknown. Italian authorities have also verified the passing.
International Biathlon Union (IBU) president Olle Dahlin expressed deep shock and sadness, highlighting Bakken's recent return to the sport after overcoming heart problems. 'Sivert's comeback to biathlon after a period of great hardship was a source of immense joy,' Dahlin said.
Bakken won his first World Cup race in the 15-kilometre mass start in Oslo Holmenkollen in 2022. His career was halted by heart issues after the 2021-2022 season, but he made a successful return, competing in the World Cup at Le Grand Bornand in France just days before his death. He was 13th in the overall standings this season.
Tributes have poured in, including from teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid, who called Bakken 'one of the toughest' on Instagram. 'You had the ability to work your way out of the worst situations. Where everyone else would have given up, you pushed on,' Laegreid wrote.
