Italian authorities have yet to determine the cause of death for biathlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, who passed away in a hotel room in Lavaze, Italy, on Christmas Eve last year.

It has been nearly nine months since the tragic death occurred during a training camp at the Lavaze mountain pass above Val di Fiemme in Italy.

National team colleague Johan Olav Botn discovered Bakken unresponsive in his hotel room as they were preparing for a training session. The sudden death shocked both the biathlon community and the entire sports world in Norway, as well as colleagues abroad.

The forensic investigation remains incomplete despite a May deadline. This was revealed when the family’s legal representative, Bernt Heiberg, provided an update on the situation on Monday.

“Italian authorities are still working to ascertain the cause of death, and we are still awaiting results from the police’s technical examinations of the altitude equipment and the forensic investigation,” Heiberg stated in a message to several media outlets.

“We hope that the bereaved can receive some answers soon. Until then, the family wishes for privacy regarding the matter,” the lawyer added in his statement.

Also Read: Olympiatoppen takes action following Sivert Bakken’s death

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