Only recently, the Norwegian biathlete Sievert Bakken, having recovered from serious health problems, fully returned to the sport and made grandiose plans to compete at the Olympic Games. However, on December 23, tragic news came from Italy – the life of 27-year-old Bakken was cut short.

Sievert never managed to realize his main dream…

Health problems

The level of competition in the Norwegian biathlon team is extremely high, so becoming part of the national team is a great honor and a sign of great skill. In 2022, Siewert Bakken managed to reach this peak and even qualified to compete at the Olympic Games in China. And this despite health problems! A year before the Games, he admitted that he was forced to use a special device that continuously monitors the condition of his heart.

“My pulse quickens, I feel tense, and a large amount of lactic acid is released. Generally this is not dangerous, but when it happens it negatively affects my performance and causes irritation. For several years this did not bother me, but recently everything has become more serious,” Bakken frankly admitted.

Sievert Backen / Photo: © Jon Olav Nesvold / Keystone Press Agency / Global Look Press

He made it into the Norwegian national team, but there were too many stars to promote anyone: Sturla Holm Lægreid, Tarjei and Johannes Boe, as well as Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen. As a result, Bakken spent all the competitions as a reserve, never competing at the Olympics.

But the athlete only has additional motivation to strive to become better. The Norwegian has always had enough talent, as evidenced by his two gold medals at the Youth Games. However, in the same year, Siewert’s health problems worsened – he was diagnosed with inflammation of the pericardium. The athlete himself admitted that he encountered a side effect after the third coronavirus vaccine.

Bakken was on the verge of retiring from his career, but the three-time European champion not only returned to professional sports in the 2024/25 season, but also joined the national team!

“Getting back to training is incredibly motivating. My initial goal was to lead a normal life. Now I see that it is possible to play sports at the highest level again,” said Bakken.

Dream to compete at the Games

The Norwegian did not lose optimism, although he adequately looked at his capabilities. Last year he said that he would try to compete at the Olympics, but not in Milan, but at the next one, which will be held in the French Alps.

“I’m looking five years ahead, to the 2030 Olympic Games. It’s likely that I still won’t be good enough to take part in the 2026 Games,” Bakken said in an interview with Langrenn.

By this time, the Norwegian planned to regain his former form and regain the status of a serious contender even for his compatriots. Separately, Bakken noted that the home world championship, which is scheduled for 2029, motivates him to recover as quickly as possible.

Uni Arnekleive and Sievert Bakken / Photo: © Social Networks

This season, Bakken took 13th place in the overall World Cup standings, and on December 19 he showed fifth place in the sprint at the stage in France. He also took part in the Sunday mass start.

Experts noted that Bakken has a good chance of becoming the leader of the team and dominating the world biathlon.

However, two days after the last competition, the athlete’s heart stopped. Bakken was found dead in a hotel room in Italy, as reported by the press service of the Norwegian Biathlon Association.

“First of all, our thoughts are with Sievert’s family and with everyone who was close to him, both in Norway and abroad. “We are cooperating with the Italian authorities at the scene,” said Emily Nordskar, acting secretary general of the Norwegian Biathlon Association.

President of the International Biathlon Union (IBU) Olle Dahlin also offered condolences to the Norwegian’s family. He noted that Bakken was an example of determination and courage.

“Siewert’s return to biathlon after a period of great difficulty was a source of great joy for everyone associated with biathlon and an inspiring demonstration of his resilience and determination.” His passing at such a young age is impossible to comprehend, but he will not be forgotten and will forever remain in our hearts,” Dahlin said in a statement.

This tragic news shocked all biathlon fans and Bakken colleagues. The Norwegian spent his entire career struggling with various obstacles on the way to the Olympic triumph, and his life ended at the most interesting place, when it seemed that all the nightmares were left behind. A terrible injustice that he unfortunately faced.