Norwegian biathlete Sivert guttorm Bakken, 27, was found dead in his hotel room in Lavaze, Italy, on Tuesday, according to the norwegian Biathlon Association. The cause of death remains unknown, leaving the sports world reeling from the sudden loss of a promising athlete.
Athlete’s Sudden Death Confirmed by Italian Authorities
The tragic passing of the 27-year-old biathlete has been confirmed by officials in Italy.
The sport’s governing body confirmed the athlete’s death had been verified by Italian authorities. Details surrounding the circumstances of Bakken’s death have not been released. Bakken had competed in several World Cup events, and while he hadn’t achieved a podium finish, he was considered a rising talent within the Norwegian biathlon team. He was part of the Norwegian team that competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, though he did not participate in any events.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with Sivert’s family and with everyone close to him, both in Norway and abroad,” acting secretary general Emilie Nordskar said in a statement. “We are cooperating with the Italian authorities on site.”
What is biathlon? Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Athletes ski a course and then stop at shooting ranges to hit targets,with penalties added for missed shots. The sport tests both endurance and precision, requiring athletes to be skilled in both disciplines.Penalties for missed shots typically involve adding time to the athlete’s overall race time or skiing additional penalty loops.
