Milan, February 2026: The World Anti-Doping Agency 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 issue surfaced in late January 2026 after a report in German media claimed that athletes could be injecting hyaluronic acid 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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
For now, the claims remain unproven, with both WADA and FIS emphasising that vigilance continues as the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics moves forward.
(Rh/ARC)