Tears in Her Eyes — Biathlete Dead: Cross‑Country Skier Reveals Last Conversation

Karoline Simpson‑Larsen (photo: EPA/Andrea Solero) is visibly emotional as she recounts the final conversation she had with the recently deceased biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken.

Simpson‑Larsen, who is in a relationship with Johan Olav Botn (a teammate of Bakken), claimed with tears in her eyes that Bakken was optimistic in their last exchange. She spoke about it live on Viaplay.

“Christmas Eve was a very hard day,” Simpson‑Larsen told the broadcaster. “It’s strange. The last thing Sivert said to me the day before was that he was confident and that he would be here and watch.”

Only days after Bakken’s death Simpson‑Larsen won the final stage of the Tour de Ski. She admitted she had not expected to take a stage win under such difficult circumstances.

“I hope this shows that I am strong and that you must keep fighting no matter what happens,” she said. “Sivert was somebody who would not have given up — and that thought motivated me.”

Sivert Guttorm Bakken, 27, was found dead in his hotel room in Lavazè (Italy) on 23 December by his teammate Johan‑Olav Botn. Bakken had been in Italy for training; when he was discovered he was wearing an altitude‑training mask. Authorities have not yet announced a cause of death; an autopsy has been ordered.

Related coverage linked by the outlet includes accounts of the teammate who found him and reports about the family and federation seeking legal advice.

(Reporting: Krone Sport)