Sivert Guttorm Bakken he was twenty-seven years old, he was an international biathlete, he would have defended the colors of Norway at the next Olympics in Milan Cortina 2026. Instead, he was found lifeless during a retreat at Passo Lavazé, in Trentino. Sivert died in his sleep while wearing a hypoxic mask and now there are many questions being examined by those who are trying to establish how the tragedy occurred.
At the center of the investigation is the device used that night, banned in Norway between 2003 and 2021 and now, after Bakken’s death, once again included in the black list of prohibited media. Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency), however, has not yet expressed its opinion.
Sivert Guttorm Bakken soffriva di pericarditisan inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. Now the autopsy will clarify the reason for his death, but the hypoxic mask could at least be a contributing cause.
The Norwegian Biathlon Federation and Sivert Bakken’s family have appointed a law firm to follow the relations with the Italian authorities and take care of the repatriation of the body. This was announced by Bernt Heidberg of Elden Advokatfirma on Norwegian TV TV2. The study does not foresee any new communications before the autopsy, which should take place in Trento next week.
What is hypoxic mask
Also known as Elevation Training Maskthis device aims to simulate the low oxygenation conditions typical of high altitude by reducing the flow of air into the lungs. This mask covers the user’s mouth, limits air entry into the double channels and has a vent for exhausting exhaled air. The mask also includes a series of adjustable resistance caps and three valves. All to allow those who use it to increase its resistance with the aim of simulating an altitude above sea level between 400 and 5400 metres. By recreating high-altitude training, ETM strengthens respiratory muscles, increases strength and power in anaerobic performance, and increases lung capacity.
The expert’s opinion
“In recent years, hypoxic masks have become increasingly widespread among athletes, but they are often interpreted in a confusing way,” explains the professor Stefano Tirelli, professor of motor sciences applied to mental and global training techniques at the La Cattolica University of Milan«many think that they allow the conditions of training at high altitude to be reproduced but, in reality, their main effect is to increase the effort of the respiratory muscles and of the entire cardiovascular and respiratory system”.
«Really simulating the acclimatization phase to the mountain environment is much more complex because it would involve the adoption of more specific training protocols and the evaluation of multiple parameters, including the entire composition of the air of which oxygen is only a part. For this reason, masks do not replace training at altitude, but some consider them as an auxiliary tool to aerobic training if used with awareness and under the guidance of qualified professionals.”
The professor adds: «The human body is extraordinary, but also delicate: each training method must be chosen and calibrated carefully, avoiding improvisations or “do it yourself” uses. Like everything related to health».
On the death of Bakken, it is difficult to make hypotheses. «With regards to what happened», concludes Professor Tirelli, «I think that considerations or judgments cannot be deduced from the state of the facts because such a dramatic event requires in-depth evaluations by experts who, moreover, are already working to try to find the causes».
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