Norwegian Olympic hopeful dies at 27
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Sivert Guttorm Bakken, a Norwegian biathlete who hoped to make the national team for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, died during Olympic training camp in Italy, authorities said. He was 27 years old.
Bakken’s death was described as “sudden.”
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Norway’s Sivert Guttorm Bakken in action during the men’s 10 km sprint on December 6, 2025. (Bjorn Larsson Rosvall/TT News Agency via REUTERS)
He was found dead in his hotel room in Lavaze, in the Trentino region of Italy, Norwegian media said. He was diagnosed with myocarditis in 2022 and took a break from competition at that time. He returned in 2024.
“The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is deeply saddened to learn that Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken passed away at the age of 27 during a training camp in Italy,” the sport’s governing body said.
IBU president Olle Dahlin added that the sport was saddened by his death.
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Sivert Guttorm Bakken of Norway competes during the men’s 15 km mass start race at the Biathlon World Cup in Anterselva, Italy, on January 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
“The IBU is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news of the sudden death of Sivert Bakken,” Dahlin said. “Sivert’s return to biathlon after a period of great difficulty was a source of immense joy for all members of the biathlon family and an inspiring demonstration of his resilience and determination.
“His passing at such a young age is impossible to understand, but he will not be forgotten and will remain forever in our hearts. The IBU’s thoughts are with Sivert’s family and friends, his team and all members of the Norwegian biathlon family at this very difficult time.”
Sivert Guttorm Bakken of Norway competes during the mixed relay race at the Biathlon World Cup in Otepaa, Estonia, on March 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Roman Koksarov, File)
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Bakken was the reigning European champion in the 10 kilometer race and two relays.
The News contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.