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Winter Olympics doping probe looms over ski jumping controversy
The Milan-Cortina Games open Friday amid allegations that male ski jumpers may be using hyaluronic acid injections to gain an edge, prompting scrutiny from anti-doping officials.
Allegations surface ahead of competition
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has indicated it could launch an investigation if evidence emerges that male ski jumpers are injecting their penises with hyaluronic acid to enhance performance. The substance, though not banned in sports, can temporarily increase penis circumference by 1-2 centimeters, potentially expanding the surface area of competition suits.
German newspaper Bild first reported the practice in January, suggesting athletes might exploit the injections to gain extra lift during jumps. According to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), even minor increases in suit surface area can improve flight distance.
"Every extra centimeter on a suit counts. If your suit has a 5% bigger surface area, you fly further," said Sandro Pertile, FIS men's ski jumping race director.
WADA responds to claims
At a press conference in Milan, WADA Director General Olivier Niggli acknowledged the allegations but stressed he was unfamiliar with the specifics of ski jumping. "If anything was to come to the surface, we would look at it and see if it is doping related," he said. "We don't address other [non-doping] means of enhancing performance."
WADA President Witold Bańka, visibly amused by the question, quipped, "Ski jumping is very popular in Poland, so I promise you I'm going to look at it."
FIS denies evidence of misconduct
FIS Communications Director Bruno Sassi dismissed the claims, stating, "There has never been any indication, let alone evidence, that any competitor has ever made use of a hyaluronic acid injection to attempt to gain a competitive advantage."
Ski jumpers undergo 3D body scans before each season while wearing only "elastic, body-tight underwear." Their suits must adhere to strict tolerance limits of 2-4 centimeters, with crotch height measurements ensuring a precise fit. For men, the suit's crotch height must match the athlete's own measurement plus an additional 3 centimeters.
Past suit tampering incidents
The controversy follows a recent case involving Norwegian ski jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, who accepted three-month suspensions for their involvement in suit tampering at the 2025 World Ski Championships in Trondheim. While the athletes later claimed they were unaware of the alterations, FIS determined their team had "tried to cheat the system" by reinforcing jumpsuits with extra thread.
Both athletes are scheduled to compete in the upcoming Winter Olympics, which officially begin Friday. The men's ski jumping events start Monday.
What's next
WADA has not yet received formal evidence of the alleged hyaluronic acid injections but has not ruled out further action. The Milan-Cortina Games will proceed as planned, with ski jumping events set to draw heightened scrutiny.
