The Norwegian federation announced the sudden death of its biathlete this Tuesday in a press release.
The world of biathlon is in mourning. This Tuesday, the Norwegian Federation announced the death of Sivert Guttorm Bakken. The 27-year-old biathlete was found dead in his hotel room, located at the Col de Lavazè, in Italy.
«The cause of death is currently unknown.says Emilie Nordskar, interim general secretary of the Norwegian Federation. Our thoughts go first and foremost to Sivert’s family and all his loved ones. We are cooperating with the Italian authorities on site.»
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«Athletes and their families will benefit from monitoring by the crisis units and support services of the Norwegian Federation. His teammates ask for respect for their privacy and calm during this difficult period. specifies the press release. A memorial ceremony is planned in Norway this Tuesday evening.
Present in Grand-Bornand last weekend
«We are speechless at the news of the sudden death of Sivert Bakken. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and all those close to him during this difficult time.», Reacted the International Federation.
Sivert Guttorm Bakken was present last weekend in Grand-Bornand to compete in the World Cup events. 13th in the general classification, he finished 5th in the sprint, 18th in the pursuit and 20th in the mass start on Sunday. A native of Lillehammer, Bakken shone during the 2021-2022 season by winning the small crystal globe of the mass start and finishing 9th in the general classification. Then, he experienced a long period of absence due to myocarditis (heart problem) before returning to the highest level this winter, a few weeks before the Olympic Games.
“You were a model, a source of inspiration”
Several of his teammates in the Norwegian team quickly expressed their sadness. “He was finally back where he wanted to be. He proved it to all of us. He still had a great career ahead of him, I’m sure, and he could have gone very far», Reacted, to the media NRK, the legend Johannes Thingnes Boe, his ex-teammate retired since last winter.
«You were back at the top of the podium, at the top of Norway’s highest mountains and at the pinnacle of your life, a écrit Vetle Sjaastad Christiansen sur Instagram. The more you practiced, the more you smiled. You were the epitome of dedication.»
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An emotion shared by Sturla Lægreid, World Cup title holder: “Sivert, you were one of the bravest. You had the ability to get out of the most difficult situations. Where everyone else would have given up, you gave it your all. You were a model, a source of inspiration, you had an unwavering will that the rest of us could only dream of. Thanks for everything.»
