Polish outlet sport.pl denounces a “list of shame” in ski jumping over suit checks and NFC tag manipulation

Polish outlet sport.pl has published a lengthy investigation alleging systemic problems in the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) equipment control process for ski jumping suits.

According to L’Équipe’s report, the sport.pl article compiles a “list of shame” that details what it calls fundamental errors and questionable decisions by FIS ski jumping director Sandro Pertile and equipment controller Christian Kathol. The piece also describes rising discontent among teams, including what was characterized as a “mutiny” by several coaches at a late‑season meeting in Planica, where some called the situation a “complete farce.”

The controversy intensified after the World Championships, where the FIS provisionally suspended Norwegian jumpers Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang for wearing non‑compliant suits, and also suspended staff members for alleged involvement in illegal equipment manipulation.

A focal point of the sport.pl investigation is the NFC chip system used to validate competition suits once they’ve passed inspection. The outlet says it obtained a video from a member of “one of the biggest ski jumping teams” showing an FIS‑labeled chip being transferred from an approved suit to a different suit within minutes. The video does not prove this has occurred during major events, but it appears to demonstrate the technical feasibility of such a swap.

Sport.pl claims a similar video raising concerns about chip manipulation was sent to the FIS shortly after the 2024 season began, with no immediate action taken. The outlet asserts there is still no solution that would fully prevent such a tactic. By contrast, in November 2024, equipment controller Christian Kathol stated on the FIS website that chips could not be removed and reapplied between suits without being rendered unusable.

Citing anonymous sources, sport.pl calls for major changes in the governance of ski jumping to “save the sport from self‑destruction.” The timing coincides with the ongoing FIS Congress in Portugal, where stakeholders are gathered through May 9.