“This one was for Sivert,” was Olympic Bronze medalist Sturla Holm Laegreid’s description of Johan-Olav Botn’s victory in this afternoon’s Milan/Cortina Men’s 20-kilometer Individual. Botn crossed the finish line with his finger pointed skyward, saluting his teammate and friend who unexpectedly died on December 23, 2025, leaving a huge emotional hole in the Norwegian team.

“He's a fighter”

Laegreid continued in his salute to Botn, who was with Bakken at a training camp in Italy when the tragedy occurred. “Johan really deserved this win with all he’s been through. He’s a fighter. I am really happy for him that he managed to take the Gold.”

It has been a very hard last six weeks for the 26-year-old Botn who had three victories, holding the Yellow Bib going into the Christmas break. Bakken’s sudden death and illness for Botn followed the newly crowned Olympic Champion into January, only returning to the World Cup just over two weeks ago. He came to these Games with just three competitions under his belt and yet pulled out a Gold medal in his first-ever Olympic competition.

“Hoping he was watching; proud of me”

Botn described his emotions, pointing skyward at the finish, dedicating the win to his sorely missed teammate. “My emotions were that I was racing with him the entire last loop. It was more like a feeling of crossing the finish line together. Seeing the number 1 beside my name was really special. I was just looking up in the sky, hoping he was watching and that he was proud of me.”

“Nothing beats Olympic Gold”

Today’s Gold medal was a huge bright spot for the Norwegian team that after weeks on an emotional roller coaster, missed winning an Olympic Mixed Relay medal on Sunday for the first time ever. “Nothing beats an Olympic Gold. For us, a Gold is one thing but the other thing is the feeling when you are thinking about Sivert. Everyone on the team is just hoping that he is proud of what we have done and what we have accomplished.”

“Hopefully, I can live a long life with memories from today”

Botn found it hard to describe his huge success after such a tough period in his young life. “To be honest, I do not know how I feel. I have not had time to think, but it’s special. Hopefully, I was just trying my best to remember everything that has happened and take everything in. Hopefully, I can live a long life with all the memories that I made today…Listening to the national anthem with a Gold medal around your neck is something I will always remember!”

Botn and Laegreid and the whole Norwegian team came through big time today, saluting Sivert in the very best way possible on the biggest stage in biathlon. No doubt, he is smiling down on his teammates!

Photos: IBU/Vianney Thibaut, Ola Wizor, Nordic Focus