Investigation into Claims of Ski Jumpers Using Hyaluronic Acid

Winter Olympics anti-doping officials announced on Thursday in Milan that they will be looking into allegations regarding male ski jumpers allegedly measuring their ski suits and injecting hyaluronic acid into their genital areas to enhance distance.

The claims, initially reported by Germany’s Bild newspaper, suggest that temporary enlargement could deceive 3D body scans, potentially allowing for greater suit looseness and more aerodynamically favorable lifts during competition. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) stated that they have found no evidence supporting this practice, but they are open to examining any credible evidence that may surface.

“We are not fully aware of the specifics of ski jumping and its performance enhancement, but if any indications arise, we will investigate. I hadn’t heard of this until it was brought up,” WADA Director-General Olivier Nigri mentioned to reporters.

Ski jumpsuits are strictly regulated, with measurements taken from the bottom of the athlete’s genitals. Essentially, a lower “measuring point” could allow for more fabric to be utilized in crucial areas. Some studies indicate that suit size can significantly impact performance; a 2025 study suggested that a 2-centimeter variance in suit resistance could affect jump distance by about 5.8 meters on a standard 130-meter jump.

WADA President Witold Banka stated that ski jumping holds great popularity in Poland and assured that they would address these claims. The discussion comes at a time when the sport is still recovering from past equipment cheating controversies. Recently, Norway’s Olympic medalists Marius Lindvik and Johan Andre Vorfang faced three-month suspensions, along with disciplinary actions against their staff, after it was discovered that adjustments had been made to the crotch seams of their suits during the 2025 World Championships.