FIS and Norwegian ski jumping team dismiss rumours of penis‑enlargement scheme

Touching off renewed controversy after recent suit‑tampering scandals, ski jumping has been hit by a bizarre rumour that some athletes might be using penile enlargement in order to increase the size of their suits and fly farther. The World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) said it was prepared to investigate possible cases, prompting reactions from the sport's authorities and athletes on the eve of the Milan–Cortina 2026 Games.

WADA director general Olivier Niggli told reporters he would look into the matter “to determine whether it should be treated as a form of doping” if anything were uncovered. The agency’s statement came after a German tabloid article last month claimed certain ski jumpers had resorted to injections to enlarge the penis and thus alter suit fit.

So far, no jumper has been sanctioned for having received hyaluronic‑acid injections in the crotch area. Confronted with the rumour in the Olympic context, members of the Norwegian team reacted with scepticism and irritation.

Anna Odine Strøm commented: “I have never seen anything like that, so I wonder if it’s true. In fact I don’t believe it, but if someone is sick enough… It’s sad that we need controversies for people to find our sport interesting.” Her teammate Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal said he was weary of the topic: “Any attention will do, but I’d rather it came from what happens on the hills.”

The International Ski Federation (FIS) also issued a firm rebuttal, calling the story a “baseless rumour” that had circulated recently on hearsay. The FIS said there has never been any indication — much less proof — that a competitor ever used hyaluronic‑acid injections to try to gain a competitive edge.

Touched in recent years by several cheating cases related to the making and use of jump suits, the sport is understandably sensitive to any new allegation that could tarnish its image during the Olympic fortnight. For now, officials insist the penile‑enlargement claims remain unproven rumours rather than established fact.