WADA ready to investigate reported penis‑augmentation in ski jumping

A few weeks before the start of the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Olympic Games, the German tabloid Bild published an investigation into alleged cases of penis enlargement among ski jumpers. According to those reports, some athletes reportedly put padding or other items in their underwear to increase the volume of the suit in the crotch area, amplifying the so‑called "flying squirrel" effect and potentially gaining extra metres on landing.

A study published last October in the scientific journal Frontiers indicated that a change of 2 centimetres in suit volume could represent a gain of 5.8 metres in jump length.

Asked about these reports at a press conference on Thursday, World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) Director General Olivier Niggli said the agency would investigate if evidence emerged. “If anything were to be uncovered, we would look into it to determine whether it constitutes a form of doping,” he said.

WADA President Witold Bańka added: “Ski jumping is very popular in Poland (my country of origin), so I promise I will take an interest in this issue.”

The article notes that manipulation of competition suits has already led to sanctions: in mid‑January three members of Norway’s ski‑jumping staff were suspended for 18 months after being found to have tampered with suits at the 2025 World Championships.

If proven, clandestine alterations to suits or the insertion of objects to change aerodynamic and buoyancy properties would fall into the category of illicit methods that artificially enhance performance. WADA said it was monitoring the situation and would act on any credible evidence.

Published on 6 February 2026 at 12:31, updated at 12:50.