Norwegian Biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken Dies at 27, Olympic Dreams Cut Short
A tragic loss has struck the world of biathlon with the sudden death of Norwegian athlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, aged 27. The Norwegian Biathlon Federation announced the devastating news on Tuesday, December 23, revealing that Bakken was found deceased in his hotel room in Lavazein, Italy.
The circumstances surrounding Bakken’s death remain under investigation by Italian police, who have announced an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause. A preliminary report from the federation indicated that an altitude mask was found with the athlete.
Bakken’s passing comes as a particularly cruel blow given his recent resurgence and aspirations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. After battling significant heart problems that sidelined him for years, the talented biathlete had returned to competition and was considered a strong contender for a spot on the Norwegian team. He had recently competed in the Biathlon World Cup stage in Grand-Bornand, France, on December 20 and 21, 2025, achieving a commendable 13th place in the general classification and a 5th place finish in the sprint event.
The athlete was in Italy participating in a training camp in preparation for the upcoming stage in Oberhof, Germany, when he tragically died. Bakken was widely regarded as a rising star in the sport, having secured his first World Cup victory in 2022 at Oslo Holmenkollen in the 15 km mass start, earning him the prestigious small crystal globe.
His career had been dramatically impacted by a diagnosis of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. In a candid interview with TV2 in July 2024, Bakken revealed the illness was linked to side effects from three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. “After a few days, I felt more and more pain, as if someone had grabbed my heart with a fist and squeezed it,” he recounted. “I had had problems with fibrillation in the past, so I thought this pain was related to it all, but today I know it wasn’t the cause. In the following months the situation got worse, it was difficult for me, and sometimes I was very afraid, because there was no end in sight.” He continued, “I couldn’t wait for it to go away so I could move on with my life without intense pain. Even the sporting aspect and my career in biathlon no longer bothered me.”
Following two years of being unable to train, Bakken made a triumphant return to competition in 2024, fueled by a determination to reach the Olympics. The loss of such a promising athlete, who overcame significant health challenges to pursue his dreams, has sent shockwaves through the biathlon community. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the full circumstances of this heartbreaking tragedy.
