Second Insole in Sock — After Disqualification Norway Submits Medical Certificate

Anna Odine Strøm was disqualified at the Two‑Nights‑Tour opener in Garmisch‑Partenkirchen after officials discovered an extra insole inside one of her socks. The FIS stated the additional sole violates rules, so Strøm — who finished eleventh on the normal hill before the disqualification — was removed from the results.

Strøm, 27, who has won a World Cup event in Wisła earlier this Olympic season and stood on three consecutive podiums before the Tour, was the subject of increased scrutiny during the Garmisch competition. The Norwegian team found and reported that a second insole had been used in one sock.

Norway’s head coach Christian Mayer told broadcaster NRK that the extra insole was used for medical reasons: Strøm suffers from a hip misalignment and the insole on her right leg compensates for a one‑centimetre leg‑height difference. Mayer said the issue dates back to an injury in Engelberg in 2023 that was related to the hip problem and that the team had begun compensating with the sole.

A medical certificate (attest) is required for such an exception; the Norwegian federation submitted the document to the FIS after the equipment check. The international governing body will now examine the certificate and decide whether the disqualification will stand or be overturned.

Strøm is currently third in the overall World Cup and a World Championship team and mixed‑team medalist. The incident has drawn media attention and prompted debate within the sport about equipment checks and medical exemptions.