Norwegian biathlete Bakken found dead wearing a hypoxic mask; his body will be autopsied in Italy

Norway’s three-time European champion Sievert Bakken was wearing a hypoxic mask when his body was discovered in a hotel room in Italy, the Norwegian Biathlon Association said.

The death of 27-year-old Bakken became known on Tuesday.

— When Bakken was found dead, he was wearing a hypoxic mask. The Association does not currently have information about the circumstances surrounding the acquisition and use of this mask. An autopsy on Bakken’s body will be performed in Italy over the Christmas period. The Norwegian Biathlon Association is working closely with the police at the scene. Contact has been established between the Italian police and relatives, the statement said.

The organization’s acting secretary general, Emily Nordskar, said many questions remain about the Bakken situation.

“We understand the media’s need for information, but at the same time it is very important that the police and forensic scientists at the scene have the opportunity to calmly do their job and come to factual conclusions,” Northscar said.

Bakken is the winner of the World Cup stages, the owner of the small Crystal Globe in the mass start competition. In 2022, Bakken was diagnosed with myocarditis.