WADA to Investigate Alleged Penis Injections in Ski Jumping
WADA will examine Bild's allegation that male ski jumpers injected hyaluronic acid into their penises to alter 3-D suit measurements.
Overview
World Anti-Doping Agency Director General Olivier Niggli said in Milan on Feb. 5, 2026, that WADA will examine allegations by the German tabloid Bild that male ski jumpers injected hyaluronic acid into their penises to alter 3-D body-scan measurements.
Ski jumping suits are measured with 3-D scanners and International Ski and Snowboard Federation rules require suits to conform within two to four centimeters, and men's race director Sandro Pertile said "every extra centimeter on a suit counts," explaining the potential performance impact.
WADA President Witold Banka said in a Milan press conference on Feb. 5, 2026, that he would "look at" the reports, while FIS communications director Bruno Sassi told BBC Sport there has "never been any indication, let alone evidence" that competitors used hyaluronic acid injections.
In August 2025, Olympic medallists Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang accepted three-month suspensions after FIS found reinforced stitching added to suit crotches at the 2025 World Ski Championships, a precedent for equipment-manipulation probes, FIS records show.
WADA said it would examine any evidence and could refer questions to its compliance or list committee if warranted, officials said, while ski jumping competitions at Milano Cortina 2026 continue through Feb. 16, 2026.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a sensational rumor treated with amused skepticism: they highlight the tabloid origin and use jokey language, while balancing it with authoritative denials and factual context about prior suit-cheating. Editorial choices emphasize spectacle over evidence, steering readers to view the claims as dubious but newsworthy.
Sources (6)
FAQ
Bild alleged that male ski jumpers are injecting hyaluronic acid into their penises to increase crotch measurements during 3D body scans, allowing for larger ski suits that improve aerodynamics.
Larger suits from increased crotch height measurements slow the jumper's drop and maintain forward speed, potentially adding five to six extra meters on a 130-meter jump.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli and President Witold Banka stated they will investigate the claims to determine if they constitute doping, examining any evidence provided.
Hyaluronic acid is not banned in sport, but injections carry risks including penile pain, deformity, infection, inflammation, sensory changes, sexual dysfunction, and rarely gangrene.
Yes, in 2025, Olympic medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang received three-month suspensions for reinforced stitching in suit crotches at the World Championships; earlier cases in 2012 led to 3D scans.
History
3 sources