WADA and FIS Probe Alleged Penile Fillers by Ski Jumpers
WADA and FIS will review Bild's claim that athletes used hyaluronic acid injections to alter 3D suit scans before the Feb. 15 men's final.
Overview
The World Anti-Doping Agency said it would review allegations first reported by German newspaper Bild that male ski jumpers used hyaluronic acid injections to alter 3D body-scan measurements, WADA officials said.
The claims matter because the International Ski and Snowboard Federation uses high-tech full-body 3D scanners to set ski-suit dimensions and FIS men's race director Sandro Pertile has warned that every extra centimetre on a suit increases lift, officials said.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli told reporters in Milan that he was not aware of the details but would examine any credible evidence, and WADA President Witold Bańka said he would look into the report, officials confirmed.
A 2025 simulation study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living estimated that a 2-centimeter increase in suit fabric could yield about 5.8 meters of extra distance on a 130-meter reference jump, according to the study.
FIS has tightened equipment controls with microchip-fitted suits, pre- and post-jump checks and a yellow/red card system, and the men's long-hill solo final is scheduled for Feb. 15, when officials said monitoring would be intensified.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources use a sensational, humorous editorial frame—foregrounding scandalous labels ("Penisgate"), metaphors ("crotch-rocketed," "jack up their junk") and rumor-driven leads—while presenting source content (Bild tips, WADA and FIS denials, and medical studies) as factual context. This pairing emphasizes scandal over measured uncertainty and safety caveats.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Bild claimed that male ski jumpers used hyaluronic acid injections in their penile area to alter 3D body-scan measurements for ski suits before the Feb. 15 men's final.
No, hyaluronic acid is not on WADA's list of banned substances.
FIS dismissed the claims as a 'wild rumor' started from hearsay, stating there is no evidence of any competitor using hyaluronic acid injections for advantage.
3D scans determine ski-suit dimensions; extra suit fabric can increase lift and jump distance, with a 2 cm increase estimated to add about 5.8 meters on a 130m jump.
FIS introduced microchip-fitted suits, pre- and post-jump checks, improved 3D measurements, and a yellow/red card system for violations.
History
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