The biathlon world is in shock after Bakken was found dead in his hotel room in Lavaze, Italy. The cause of death is unknown.
"It is of course terrible news to receive. Sivert was a fantastic athlete and a fantastic person who the entire biathlon community liked incredibly much. It is difficult for everyone in the biathlon family," says Emilie Nordskar, acting secretary general of the Norwegian Biathlon Association, to NTB.
Bakken took his first individual World Cup victory in the spring of 2022. After that, it would be more than three years before he competed in the World Cup again. The Norwegian, who had previously had heart surgery, suffered side effects from a dose of the Covid vaccine, which led to pericarditis.
"I had between one and a half to two years without training," Bakken told SVT.
“Incredibly unfair”
He made a comeback with a fourth-place finish in the World Cup in Östersund earlier in December. Bakken raced his last race as recently as Sunday in Annecy, France.
Johannes Thingnes Bø, the legend who ended his career after last season, is one of many Norwegian biathlon figures who have spoken out after the death.
"In his young, short career, he experienced great successes and challenges. This is how it happens. He has really fought, and was a biathlon talent we have rarely seen in Norway. It's just sad, it shouldn't be like this. It's unbelievably unfair," he tells Dagbladet.
Swedish national team star Elvira Öberg has also spoken out, for Expressen:
It is incredibly tragic and my thoughts go out to Sivert's loved ones and teammates.
Open memorial service
NRK's expert commentator Ole Lunde describes Bakken as a joy-maker in the Norwegian national team.
"It's tragic for the whole of Norwegian biathlon. For the whole organization, for those who are with him in Lavaze. He was a person who was extremely positive and it's unbelievable to hear what happened. It's completely unreal," Lunde tells NRK.
Bakken was from Lillehammer, and an open memorial service will be held there on Tuesday evening, NRK reports.
"Athletes and relatives will be followed up by crisis teams and internal resources. Teammates ask to be allowed to grieve in peace," the Norwegian Biathlon Association writes in a press release.
