The International Biathlon Union (IBU), the umbrella organization of this sport, announced that the Italian authorities confirmed the death of the athlete, writes The Guardian.
– The IBU is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic news about the sudden death of Sivert Bakken – said the president of the organization Olle Dahlin.
Bakken won his first World Cup race in the 15km mass start at Oslo Holmenkollen in 2022.
After a successful 2021-2022 season, his career was cut short due to heart problems, but after a long recovery he again represented Norway at the World Cup in recent weeks.
Bakken competed in the World Cup competition at Le Grand Bornand in France last weekend and was 13th overall this season.
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said Bakken had traveled to Lavazé for a camp.
– His departure at such a young age is impossible to understand, but he will not be forgotten and will remain in our hearts forever. The IBU expresses its condolences to Sievert’s family and friends, his team and all members of the Norwegian biathlon family at this very difficult time – said Dahlin.
In a post on Instagram, his colleague Sturla Holm Laegreid called Bakken “one of the strongest”.
– You had the ability to get out of the most difficult situations. Where everyone else would have given up, you kept going. Sivert, you were a role model, an inspiration, with a determination the rest of us could only dream of – wrote Laegreid.
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
