Bent Rønnestad, a sports physiologist, has confirmed his departure from Olympiatoppen Innlandet, where he held a 20% position as a specialist consultant. His resignation comes on the heels of a scandal involving his endorsement of a height mask sold to the deceased athlete Sivert Bakken. Rønnestad's role at Olympiatoppen had included working with top cycling teams and conducting research at the University of Innlandet, where he was involved in projects utilizing altitude masks.

The controversy intensified after it was revealed that Bakken had purchased a height mask from Spanish company Altitude Zone before being found dead in his hotel room in Italy. This mask was reportedly set for an altitude equivalent to 7000 meters above sea level. Although details remain unclear, the connection between the mask and Bakken's death has raised questions, attracting media attention and scrutiny towards Rønnestad and his professional conduct, especially given his influential role in the sports community in Norway.

The implications of Rønnestad's resignation could resonate within the sporting sector in Norway, particularly concerning athlete safety and the ethical responsibilities of those designing and promoting performance-enhancing gear. Olympiatoppen, a key organization for sports development in Norway, faces pressure to ensure that its staff maintain a standard of ethics and safety when endorsing or facilitating the use of potentially dangerous equipment, as seen in this unfortunate situation involving Sivert Bakken.