The world of winter sports is in mourning following the sudden death of Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken. The 27-year-old athlete, a hopeful for the upcoming Winter Olympics, was found dead in his hotel room in Lavaze, Italy, where he was attending a pre-Games training camp.
A Promising Career Cut Short
The Norwegian Biathlon Association confirmed the tragic news, stating the cause of his death is currently unknown. Bakken was a rising talent in the sport, having secured 13th place in this season's overall World Cup standings. His career highlight came in 2022 when he clinched his first World Cup victory in the 15-kilometre mass start event at the iconic Holmenkollen in Oslo.
His journey was marked by remarkable resilience. After a successful 2021-2022 season, Bakken's career was interrupted by significant heart problems. He mounted an inspiring comeback, returning to represent Norway in the Biathlon World Cup in recent weeks. He had just competed in a World Cup event in Le Grand Bornand, France, days before his death.
Shock and Tributes from the Biathlon Family
The International Biathlon Union (IBU), the sport's governing body, expressed profound shock. IBU President Olle Dahlin said the organisation was "deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of Sivert Bakken’s sudden death." Dahlin highlighted Bakken's determined return to the sport, calling it "a source of immense joy for everyone in the biathlon family and an inspiring demonstration of his resilience."
He added, "His passing at such a young age is impossible to comprehend but he will not be forgotten and he will forever remain in our hearts." The IBU confirmed that Italian authorities had verified the athlete's passing.
A Teammate's Heartfelt Farewell
Personal tributes have poured in, illustrating the high esteem in which Bakken was held. His Norwegian teammate, Sturla Holm Laegreid, posted a moving tribute on Instagram, describing Bakken as "one of the toughest" individuals he knew.
"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. "Sivert, you were a role model, an inspiration, with a determination that the rest of us could only dream of."
The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reported that Bakken was in Lavaze for a high-altitude training camp, a standard part of preparation for elite winter athletes. The news has sent waves of grief through the tight-knit biathlon community and the wider sporting world, as they remember a talented athlete whose potential was devastatingly unfulfilled.
