Norwegian Biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken Dies at Pre-Winter Olympics Training Camp
Sivert Guttorm Bakken, a 27-year-old Norwegian biathlete, died at a pre-Winter Olympics training camp in Lavaze, Italy. He was found dead in his hotel room, with the cause of death currently unknown as confirmed by Italian authorities through the International Biathlon Union (IBU).
Bakken had made a return to biathlon after experiencing heart problems and had been competing in the Biathlon World Cup in recent weeks. His first World Cup victory was recorded in 2022 in the 15-kilometre mass start at Oslo Holmenkollen. In this season's overall Biathlon World Cup standings, he finished 13th and recently competed in Le Grand Bornand, France.
The Norwegian Biathlon Association and the IBU issued statements regarding his death. IBU president Olle Dahlin expressed shock and sadness over the loss. Teammate Sturla Holm Laegreid praised Bakken on social media, calling him one of the toughest athletes and a role model.
