The death of biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken shortly before Christmas shocked the Norwegian team. Now Johan-Olav Botn, who found his friend, comments on the circumstances. The overall World Cup leader makes a promise.
Norwegian biathlete Johan-Olav Botn has spoken for the first time about the death of his teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken. The 26-year-old found his friend dead in his hotel room in Lavazè, Italy, on December 23rd. “Sivert and I wanted to go skiing at 9 a.m. that morning. I wanted to go by him briefly to get the car keys and take a few skis and poles from the car. Then I found him lifeless in his room,” said Botn in an interview with the Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
It was “an absolute state of shock and pure panic” when he realized that his long-time companion was no longer alive. “I saw that his face was completely lifeless and white as a sheet. I immediately understood that he was dead. It was a state of shock in which you don’t feel anything, you just try to help,” the overall World Cup leader continued.
The 27-year-old Bakken was training in Italy with other teammates. He was wearing an altitude training mask when he was found. The cause of death remains unclear; the results of the autopsy could not be available until March.
Botn works with psychologists
Christmas was very difficult and “you went through a lot of emotions. It still goes up and down, but every day it gets better,” says three-time season winner Botn. He has been in contact with Bakken’s parents and wants to meet with them in the next few weeks: “My first thoughts were with them. You almost feel responsible when you are the first to see him. I think a lot about his family.”
Botn has sought the help of a psychologist. “I have some images in my head that I’ve realized I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life. I think it’s wise to find a way to live with those images,” he said.
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Botn called for speculation to be avoided until the investigation was completed. He also emphasized that Bakken, with whom he had been dating since he was a junior, had done “nothing illegal.” “Altitude chambers and tents have been permitted for many years and are used by many athletes. We adhere to all rules of the anti-doping agencies and Norwegian law,” Botn said. He himself never used a mask or an altitude tent.
After the shocking experience, he questioned a lot of things. “Everything seems very pointless when something like this happens,” Botn said. But he knows how important biathlon was for Bakken, who had only fought his way back into the World Cup after a two-year break.
Botn wants to continue fighting for him. “If I had lost motivation, I think I would have disappointed Sivert. We worked towards this together. I know exactly what Sivert would expect from me: that I train and become as good as possible. The goal is clearer than ever,” said Botn, who is helped by the return to everyday training and his routines.
lwö/dpa
