Biathlon
Biathlon: Development coaches open up about use of simulated altitude
January 03, 2026 / NRK
Coaches of Norway’s biathlon development (recruit) team speak publicly about their experience with simulated altitude after the death of team member Sivert Guttorm Bakken. They say only a very small number of athletes have used simulated-altitude equipment, they follow Olympiatoppen guidelines, and they emphasize that simulated altitude is a marginal supplement to everyday training.
Biathlon: First World Cup after Bakken’s death — Norway without Botn and Laegreid
January 03, 2026 / sportschau.de (WDR)
At the first Biathlon World Cup after the death of Norwegian teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, Norway will be missing Johan‑Olav Botn and Sturla Holm Lægreid due to illness. Sverre Dahlen Aspenes and debutant Martin Nevland have been called up for the Oberhof races. Botn, who discovered Bakken, described the discovery as a traumatic shock and is receiving psychological support.
Biathlon — video summaries and replays from the World Cup and World Championships
January 01, 2026 / L'Équipe
This page is a video hub from L'Équipe collecting replays, highlights and episode clips from the Biathlon World Cup, European Championships and the 2025 World Championships in Lenzerheide. It groups content by season and venue (Östersund, Hochfilzen, Le Grand‑Bornand, Pokljuka, Antholz/Anterselva, Nove Mesto, Ruhpolding, Kontiolahti, Martell etc.) and links to match replays, short highlights and pre/post‑race studio shows.
Biathlon: Cause of Sivert Guttorm Bakken’s death may take months to determine
December 31, 2025 / SVT Sport
Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken was found dead in his hotel room in Lavazè the day before Christmas Eve. Forensic results are not expected until March, and authorities and the Norwegian Olympic Committee urge against speculation —they also advise caution regarding simulated altitude masks that were found with him.
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Must wait several months for answers in connection with Sivert Guttorm Bakken’s death
December 30, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Forensic examinations into the death of Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken will not be completed until March 2026. Italian prosecutors are treating the case as a suspicious death while awaiting the forensic report; Bakken’s body will be repatriated to Norway so the family can plan the funeral.
Death of Sivert Guttorm Bakken: Trento prosecutors say no suspects; autopsy pending
December 29, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
Italian prosecutors in Trento report there are no suspects in the death of Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, found dead during a pre‑Olympic camp at Passo Lavazè. An altitude-training hypoxic mask he was wearing has been seized, and an autopsy has been conducted, with results not yet public. Bakken’s family declined to appoint an independent expert; the Norwegian federation said it does not know the circumstances of the mask’s purchase and use, and the device is not considered doping.
Biathlon: Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen learned of Sivert Bakken’s death from teammate Johannes Dale-Skjevdal
December 29, 2025 / NRK Sport
Norwegian biathlete Johannes Dale-Skjevdal recounts the moment he called teammate Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen to tell him that Sivert Guttorm Bakken had been found dead during a private altitude camp in Lavazè, Italy, on December 23. Both athletes describe shock and grief, reflect on the use of simulated altitude devices after it emerged Bakken wore an altitude mask when found, and discuss how the team will handle the upcoming Oberhof World Cup while planning a memorial on Lillehammer. The cause of death remains unknown pending an autopsy.
German win, Italy’s absence and more: What happened at the Biathlon World Team Challenge
December 29, 2025 / La Gazzetta dello Sport
The article recaps the Schalke‑Arena exhibition in Gelsenkirchen held on 28 December, where Germany (Janina Hettich‑Walz and Justus Strelow) won the World Team Challenge for the first time in nine years. It notes a packed Veltins‑Arena, the event’s unique stadium format, and the emotional tribute to Norway’s Sivert Bakken, who died on 23 December. Italy did not field a team at the event.
Teammate’s anger after Bakken’s death: “Anti‑vaxxers are exploiting this”
December 29, 2025 / SVT Sport
Norwegian biathlete Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen condemned speculation surrounding the sudden death of teammate Sivert Guttorm Bakken, saying people without knowledge are pushing narratives about COVID vaccines and altitude-simulation masks. Bakken, 27, was found dead in an Italian hotel room on December 23; a preliminary autopsy report is expected soon. The Norwegian federation has said he was found wearing a high‑altitude mask, and Bakken previously experienced heart issues after COVID vaccination, details that have fueled misinformation online.
Biathlon: Sochi relay to receive Olympic gold at the 2026 Games
December 28, 2025 / Sportschau
Germany’s men’s biathlon relay from Sochi 2014 will finally receive their reallocated Olympic gold medals during the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Arnd Peiffer confirmed on ARD that he, Erik Lesser, Daniel Böhm and Simon Schempp will be honored in Antholz following the final legal decisions that stripped Russia’s team of gold due to Evgeny Ustyugov’s doping case. Austria is upgraded from bronze to silver, and Norway moves up to bronze; only Austria’s Simon Eder remains active in the World Cup.
Shocking details about Sivert Guttorm Bakken’s death — coach Reijo Jylhä explains the Finns’ training methods and how they differ
December 28, 2025 / Yle
Finnish national team coach Reijo Jylhä reacts to reports that biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken was found with a high‑altitude simulation mask allegedly set to 7,000 m while already staying at 1,800 m in Lavazè, Italy. Jylhä stresses Finnish skiers do not use such oxygen‑restriction masks, outlining past Finnish practices such as supplemental oxygen at altitude, respiratory‑resistance masks, altitude rooms and ‘alpine houses,’ and earlier ‘smoke‑box’ style devices from the late 1980s–90s. Norway’s Olympiatoppen has advised athletes to avoid artificial altitude training pending clarification, and experts note no confirmed causal link between the mask and Bakken’s death.
Strelow and Hettich-Walz win “Biathlon auf Schalke” World Team Challenge
December 28, 2025 / Sportschau (ARD)
Germany’s Justus Strelow and Janina Hettich‑Walz won the exhibition World Team Challenge in Gelsenkirchen, securing victories in both the mass start and the pursuit before 40,000 fans. They beat France’s Lou Jeanmonnot and Fabien Claude, with Norway’s Juni Arnekleiv and Mats Øverby third. The article highlights Strelow’s near-perfect shooting, Hettich‑Walz’s strong pursuit, and the Norwegian pair’s tribute to the late Sivert Bakken.