With the Winter Olympics underway in Milan, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officials found themselves answering questions far removed from the typical discussion about banned substances and testing procedures.
A report published by a German tabloid last month built A male ski jumper may be injecting hyaluronic acid into his penis to alter body measurements taken during pre-season suit fittings, it has been claimed. The goal was to appear slightly larger during 3D body scans, allowing the suit to be worn looser for an aerodynamic advantage, the report said.
The claim quickly gained attention, arriving on WADA’s doorstep just one day before the opening ceremony, raising questions about whether cosmetic fillers fall within WADA’s jurisdiction.
WADA distances itself from this claim
WADA Director-General Olivier Nigri addressed the report to reporters in Milan, stressing that WADA has no evidence to suggest the practice exists and even that it constitutes doping.
“I don’t know the details of ski jumping and how it improves performance,” Nigri was quoted as saying. bbc sports. He added that WADA’s mandate is limited to substances and methods that violate anti-doping rules.
“If something surfaces, we will investigate it and see if it is related to doping,” he said. “We are not working on other means of improving performance.”
When asked about the rumors, WADA president Witold Banka joked in a light tone that he would personally look into the matter due to his long-standing passion for Polish ski jumping.
Why suit measurements are strictly regulated
Although the injection claims have caused skepticism, the role of suit size in ski jumping is well established. Even small differences can affect lift and distance during jumps.
Sandro Pertil, men’s race director at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), previously explained how narrow the gap is. In 2024, “every centimeter of the suit is important,” he said, noting that even a small increase in surface area could lead to longer flights.
Before each season, athletes undergo a body scan to determine acceptable suit measurements. Regulations require suits to closely fit these measurements, which are usually within the range of 2 to 4 centimeters.
According to FIS, there is no evidence
Despite the attention the report drew, FIS officials dismissed the claims outright.
“There has never been any evidence, let alone indication, that athletes have used hyaluronic acid injections to gain a competitive advantage,” Bruno Sassi, head of public relations at FIS, told BBC Sport.
This rumor also comes in the midst of a broader cultural moment where cosmetic enhancements are taking place, including: Penis filler procedure Clinics such as luxury aestheticsit has become more openly discussed outside of traditional medical fields, although claims of performance benefits remain unsubstantiated.
Attention to past controversies remains high
The ski jumping industry has faced equipment-related scandals before, but none involving cosmetic procedures.
Last August, Norwegian Olympic medalists Johan Andre Vorfang and Marius Lindvik accepted three-month suspensions during the 2025 World Ski Championships after authorities determined their suits had been modified with reinforced threads. The incident confirmed how closely suit compliance is monitored at the elite level.
For now, WADA appears content to leave the latest allegations as evidence unless reliable evidence suggests otherwise.
Source: Gayety – gayety.com
