Suit scandal: Norwegian ski jumping stars push back against accusations

Norwegian ski jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann-André Forfang have been suspended for three months following the confirmed suit manipulation by Norway’s team at the most recent World Championships. The scandal continues to roil the ski jumping world, and the two athletes are now pushing back at rivals who alleged they knowingly used altered suits.

According to Austrian jumper Daniel Tschofenig, both Lindvik and Forfang started despite being aware of the irregular suits. The Norwegian team, however, maintains the athletes were not informed. In an interview with Norway’s Dagbladet, Lindvik countered: “Those who are shouting the loudest are, in my opinion, the ones who have been the worst themselves,” adding, “You should be clean yourself before you open your mouth that wide.” He alluded to a TV2 report claiming athletes from other nations, including Austria and Germany, were also under suspicion.

Forfang said he understood the emotions behind Tschofenig’s remarks and suggested the tone might have been heat-of-the-moment: “I’d be very surprised if he used that tone toward me.”

Lindvik and Forfang were suspended at the end of August for three months; after serving 18 days during last season, they are eligible to compete again from November. Lindvik concluded: “I’m going into the season with my head held high.”