“You were real”
Olympic champion mourns dead biathlete
12/25/2025 – 4:43 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Sivert Guttorm Bakken was found dead in a hotel room. The biathlon world is shocked. An Olympic champion now made an emotional post.
The death of Sivert Guttorm Bakken shocked the biathlon world. The Norwegian and three-time European champion died on December 23rd at the age of 27. Bakken was found dead in his hotel room. The cause of death is still not known. Most recently, the Norwegian association announced that he was wearing an altitude training mask when he was found. More and more companions are saying goodbye to the World Cup star. So did Olympic champion Tarjei Bø.
The exceptional athlete, who announced his retirement after last season, posted a black and white photo of Sivert Guttorm Bakken on Instagram. The elder of the world-famous Bø brothers wrote: “Sivert, you were real. You always went your own way, and with a willpower that let you achieve everything.”
Tarjei Bø added: “That really impressed me – and that’s how I will remember you forever, along with all our beautiful experiences.” Bakken made his World Cup debut in 2021. A year later he achieved his first World Cup victory in the mass start in Oslo. But shortly afterwards a health setback caught up with him and he suffered from myocarditis. It wasn’t until the 2024/25 season that he made his comeback in the IBU Cup, where he achieved several podium finishes.
The Norwegian fought his way back into the World Cup. This winter, Bakken managed several top ten finishes. In Östersund he came fourth in the individual, seventh in the sprint and ninth in the pursuit. He most recently came fifth in the last sprint race of the year in Le Grand-Bornand, France, last Friday.
“We were supposed to go skiing together today, but you didn’t come. We also planned to celebrate New Year’s Eve together, but you won’t be there.” The Italian also wrote that it would be difficult to compete without Bakken, but emphasized: “I will do my best to make you proud.”