Norwegian Biathletes Win Gold, Bronze Honoring Late Teammate

Anterselva, Italy – Norwegian biathletes Johan-Olav Botn and Sturla Lægreid dedicated their medal performances at the February 10, 2026 Biathlon World Cup to their late teammate, Sivert Bakken, who died unexpectedly in December. Botn secured the gold in the men’s 20-kilometer individual event, while Lægreid claimed the bronze.

Botn’s victory came with a particularly poignant gesture. Upon crossing the finish line, the newly crowned Olympic champion raised his arms to the sky in remembrance of Bakken, who was found dead in his hotel room in Lavazè, Italy, on December 23, 2025, during a training camp prior to the Annecy-Le Grand Bornand stage of the World Cup. The emotional moment underscored the profound impact of Bakken’s passing on the Norwegian team.

Lægreid’s grief was equally visible, breaking down in tears on the podium as the Norwegian national anthem played. The shared sorrow and tribute highlighted the close bonds within the team and the weight of their loss.

The circumstances surrounding Bakken’s death remain under investigation. According to Norwegian media reports, Bakken was found with a hypoxic mask – used to simulate high-altitude training conditions – set to an altitude equivalent to 7,000 meters. However, it is currently unclear whether Bakken was aware of this specific setting on the mask, which has been seized by police as part of the ongoing inquiry. The results of the autopsy are expected in March.

Botn, a close friend of Bakken, described the harrowing experience of discovering his teammate. “We were supposed to go skiing together at 9 am that morning, and I had to go to his room to get the car keys to get the skis and poles out of the trunk, and that’s where I found him,” Botn told Norwegian broadcaster TV2. “I was in a state of total shock, and panic. I tried to call for help but couldn’t reach them, so I ran to get assistance. It was very stressful. But I saw that he was completely inert and livid, and I realized he was dead. It was only when the ambulance arrived that I began to understand what had happened.”

Botn continued, “I’ve already exchanged a few messages with Sivert’s family, but we’ve planned to meet to talk together. They were my first thoughts, and you feel a kind of responsibility when you are the first person to see someone dead, it makes the moment very personal. I think a lot about them.”

Bakken, who began his professional biathlon career in 2016, had previously suffered from heart problems. He was diagnosed with myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle – which doctors at the Norwegian Biathlon Federation linked to his third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over the Norwegian biathlon team, but their performances at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics demonstrate their resilience and determination to honor Bakken’s memory. Botn’s gold medal, secured with clean shooting, was a testament to his skill and a moving tribute to his fallen friend. France’s Eric Perrot took silver in the same event.

The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, running from February 6 to February 22, have already seen several compelling storylines unfold, including the return of American skier Lindsey Vonn and the Olympic debut of NHL players. However, the Norwegian biathletes’ emotional journey and dedication to their teammate serve as a powerful reminder of the human element at the heart of the Games.

The competition in Anterselva continues, with athletes vying for medals across 16 different sports. The Games are being held across a vast area of northern Italy, offering a welcome return to in-person spectators after the COVID-19 restrictions imposed during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.