Tuesday's news of Sivert Guttorm Bakken's sudden passing ran like a shockwave through the entire Biathlon Family. Bakken had just recently returned to the Norwegian World Cup team after a long road back from myocarditis and competed as recently as Sunday in the Mass Start of Le Grand Bornand.

Since then, many of his friends and teammates had taken to social media to pay tribute to Bakken, who inspired many with positivity, kindness, and resilience - especially during his health struggles and return to the sport during the last few years.

Tommaso Giacomel: "You'll always have a special place in my heart"

"I’ve always said that the thing I cherish most about this journey as a biathlete is not the races I was going to win, but the people I got to meet and know along the way. You soon became one of my best friends, with your smile, your humanity, and your mindset. You will always have a special place in my heart, bello ❤️"

Vetle S. Christiansen: "The more you trained, the bigger your smile got"

"You were back! You were on top of the podium, on top of Norway’s highest mountains, and on top of life. The more you trained, the bigger your smile became. You were the very definition of dedication. Rest in peace now"

Emilien Claude (on Instagram Stories): "You were always there at the top"

"10 years ago, we met on this podium (Youth Olympic Games 2016, Lillehammer) - today I am so shocked we won't share these moments again. My first IBU Cup podium, my first World Cup start, you were always there at the top. I was so happy to speak with you again 2 weeks ago and you told me you were living your dream and so happy to be back.

Tiril Eckhoff: "Struggling to understand it"

"It’s completely awful. I’m struggling to understand it. It’s tragic, sad, and everything at once. Sivert was an amazing guy. He was always so positive. He struggled immensely with COVID and inflammation of the heart. He has had such incredible patience, and finally, after three or four years, he managed to come back. He won a World Cup in 2022, ran into trouble, and he’s just kept pushing through. He believed in it and finally came back - and now he’s gone - It hurts so much." - Eckhoff told Norwegian Broadcaster TV2.

Johannes Thingnes Boe: "Rest In Peace, dear Sivert, You Will Be Missed"

Sivert, gone far, far too early 😭 One of the greatest talents in the history of Norwegian biathlon… Rest in peace, dear Sivert. You will be missed. 😭🕊️💔

Images: IBU Photopool