Biathlon: Cause of Sivert Guttorm Bakken’s death may take months to determine

The Norwegian biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken was found dead in his hotel room in Lavazè, Italy, the day before Christmas Eve. He was 27.

According to the family’s lawyer, the results from the forensic (medico‑legal) investigation will take several months. “Neither the family nor we have received any information about the results of the forensic examination, and the family will not be told more about the cause of death until March next year,” lawyer Bernt Heiberg said in a press release.

Bakken was found with a simulated altitude mask on him. The exact cause of death has not yet been established.

Following the death, the Norwegian Olympic Committee has advised athletes to avoid using simulated altitude masks. The family’s lawyer also asked athletes, the sporting world and the media to refrain from speculation out of respect for the family and said that any evaluation of simulated altitude equipment should be done separately and not linked to Bakken’s death.

The World Cup season resumes in Oberhof on 8 January.

The article was published and updated on 31 December 2025 and cites a press release as a source. Related coverage includes teammates’ reactions and reporting on the altitude mask.