World Anti-Doping Agency says there is currently no confirmed anti-doping violation linked to the allegations.
Claims involve alleged hyaluronic acid injections before official 3D suit measurements in ski jumping.
International Ski and Snowboard Federation retains primary authority over equipment rules.
Genital hyaluronic acid injections carry documented health risks.
Milan, February 2026: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has responded to unusual claims suggesting that some male ski jumpers may be using penis injections to influence equipment measurements ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The allegations, dubbed “Penisgate” by sections of the international media, have drawn widespread attention because they involve claims of hyaluronic acid injections used before official 3D suit measurements in ski jumping.
The issue surfaced in late January 2026 after a report in German media claimed that athletes could be injecting hyaluronic acid, a substance commonly used as a cosmetic dermal filler and in joint treatments, into their genitals shortly before official body scans. These scans are used to tailor ski jumping suits, where even small increases in surface area can improve lift and flight distance. Subsequent reporting by international outlets said WADA had been formally asked to review the allegations, prompting what officials described as an initial fact finding assessment rather than a full anti doping case.
Ski jumping suits are tightly regulated and measured using 3D body scanning technology. Officials use these scans to ensure suits match an athlete’s body within strict limits. According to the report, artificially increasing body dimensions during measurement could allow a slightly larger suit, which may offer a competitive edge in the air.
Sandro Pertile, men’s race director at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), has previously explained that even minimal increases in suit surface area can significantly affect performance. A larger suit can create more lift and allow longer jumps.
Sports medicine physician Dr. Brian Sutterer, MD, who frequently discusses sports injuries and biomechanics through online educational content, explained in his YouTube video that ski jumpers create lift by positioning their bodies and skis in a V shape. He also noted that the crotch area of the suit is situated closest to the athlete’s center of mass.
Even a centimetre level increase in fabric allowance in this region can translate into extra metres of flight, which can be the difference between medalling and missing the podium.
He noted that athletes undergo 3D body scans in compression garments to establish baseline measurements, meaning any artificial enlargement during scanning could theoretically permit a larger suit within existing rules.
Speaking in Milan on 5 February 2026, Olivier Niggli, Director General of WADA, said the agency is not aware of any evidence supporting the claims.
He clarified that hyaluronic acid is not a substance monitored in ski jumping and that WADA only intervenes if a method meets the definition of doping or poses a health risk.
Niggli stressed that not every form of performance advantage falls under anti doping rules. Equipment manipulation, unless it involves prohibited substances or methods, does not automatically qualify as a doping offence under the World Anti Doping Code.
He added that this situation appears to sit in a grey zone between equipment regulation and anti doping policy, with FIS rather than WADA holding primary authority unless athlete health or banned methods are involved.
Witold Bańka, President of WADA, also addressed the issue during the Milan visit. Bańka acknowledged the unusual nature of the reports and said the agency would take a closer look if credible information emerged. He noted that ski jumping is a major sport in his home country of Poland, adding a light remark while reinforcing WADA’s readiness to act if necessary.
In 2025, Norwegian athletes Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang were suspended for three months after officials found their team had deliberately altered suit seams in the crotch area at the World Ski Championships.
Their head coach, Magnus Brevik, along with two other staff members, received 18 month bans. The incident led to stricter enforcement of suit regulations across international competitions.
FIS later confirmed that it now uses dedicated measuring tools and repeated checks at events to prevent excess material in high impact areas such as the inseam.
Medical literature shows that injecting hyaluronic acid into penile tissue for girth or cosmetic enhancement is an off label procedure and is not approved by major regulatory agencies for performance or body modification purposes.
Reported complications include:
Infection
Inflammation and swelling (edema)
Subcutaneous nodules or uneven filler distribution
Vascular compromise and impaired blood flow
Rare cases of penile tissue necrosis
Clinical studies note that inflammatory reactions and palpable nodules, though often mild, can occur following treatment.
More serious adverse outcomes have also been described in urological literature, including filler migration, lymphoedema, vascular compromise, and rare cases of penile tissue necrosis linked to disrupted blood flow after genital injections. Case reports further document hypersensitivity reactions following self injection or use of non medical grade products, leading to immune responses, tissue damage, and prolonged swelling.
Researchers also note that hyaluronic acid based girth enhancement typically requires repeat procedures to maintain volume, increasing cumulative exposure and the risk of complications over time. Published reviews emphasise that long term safety data remain limited, and side effects such as localized inflammation and discomfort are not uncommon even in supervised clinical settings.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation has stated that it has no indication or evidence that athletes are using injections to manipulate suit measurements. Officials confirmed that monitoring procedures remain in place as teams prepare for the Milan Cortina Games. FIS also said it aims to shut down what it called a distracting sideshow, emphasising that existing science already explains how aerodynamics and suit fit influence jump length without needing speculative claims.
For now, the allegations remain unproven. Both WADA and FIS reiterated that vigilance continues as the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics moves forward, but at present there is no confirmed anti-doping violation linked to the reports.
Abdallah, M., et al. “Penile Girth Enhancement Using Hyaluronic Acid Filler: A Preliminary Report.” Sexual Medicine 9, no. 3 (2021): 100357. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8269832/.
Sansalone, S., et al. “Complications of Genital Filler Injections and Surgical Management.” International Journal of Impotence Research 35 (2023): 456–463. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41443-023-00675-8.
Singh, A., and J. Kaur. “Desire for Penile Girth Enhancement and the Effects of Self Injection of Hyaluronic Acid Gel.” Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery 13, no. 4 (2020): 317–320. https://jcasonline.com/desire-for-penile-girth-enhancement-and-the-effects-of-the-self-injection-of-hyaluronic-acid-gel/.
Yang, D. Y., et al. “Safety and Efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid Penile Augmentation: A Systematic Review.” World Journal of Men’s Health 40, no. 2 (2022): 215–227. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8987147/.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)