The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it could examine allegations that male ski jumpers injected their penises with hyaluronic acid to gain a competitive edge—if credible evidence emerges.
The claims surfaced in January after Germany’s Bild newspaper reported that some athletes were allegedly receiving hyaluronic acid injections before official suit measurements. The substance, which is not banned in sport, can increase penis circumference by one to two centimetres—potentially expanding the surface area of a ski jumping suit during competition.
According to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), even marginal increases in suit size can influence flight distance. “Every extra centimetre on a suit counts,” said FIS men’s ski jumping race director Sandro Pertile, noting that a five per cent increase in surface area could translate into longer airtime.
Asked about the report at a press conference during the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, WADA director general Olivier Niggli said the agency was not familiar with the technical details of ski jumping but would assess the matter if substantiated. “If anything was to come to the surface, we would look at it and see if it is doping-related,” he said, adding that WADA does not regulate non-doping methods of performance enhancement.
WADA president Witold Banka, clearly amused by the question, joked that he would personally look into the matter, noting the sport’s popularity in Poland.
FIS has firmly rejected the suggestion. Communications director Bruno Sassi told BBC Sport there has never been any indication—let alone evidence—that an athlete has attempted to gain an advantage through hyaluronic acid injections.
Under current rules, ski jumpers undergo pre-season measurements using 3D body scanners while wearing only elastic, body-tight underwear. Suits are permitted a tolerance of just two to four centimetres, and crotch height measurements must closely match the athlete’s body, with an additional three centimetres allowed for men.
While hyaluronic acid can last up to 18 months in the body, FIS officials stress that the sport already has strict controls in place. The controversy nonetheless follows previous attempts to manipulate suits. Last year, Norwegian Olympic medallists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang accepted three-month suspensions after their team tampered with suits at the World Ski Championships in Trondheim—although investigators later concluded the athletes were unaware.
Both Norwegians are set to compete at the Games, with the men’s ski jumping events getting underway on Monday.
