The 2026 Olympic Winter Games have begun with an unexpected twist as reports surface of male ski jumpers allegedly injecting their penises with fillers to enhance their flying capabilities.
This controversial claim suggests that a more prominent bulge in the 3D body scans, required in the pre-season, could provide jumpers with additional centimeters of material in their jumpsuits. Such modifications in the suits' crotch area could theoretically increase the suitâs drag and lift, giving athletes a potential advantage. A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living indicated that an additional 2 cm of suit fabric could boost drag by 4% and lift by 5%, potentially extending a jump by 5.8 meters.
This rumor follows on the heels of a scandal involving Norwegian Olympic medalists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang, who were penalized for illegally altering their jumpsuits. In 2025, both athletes and several team officials were caught manipulating the suitâs crotch area, resulting in suspensions for the athletes and bans for coaches.
These latest allegations of injection-based methods reportedly emerged in January when the German newspaper Bild cited âwhispersâ of the use of hyaluronic acid or paraffin for internal enhancements. Dr. Kamran Karim from Maria-Hilf Hospital commented that while such procedures could temporarily alter appearance, they lack medical justification and come with risks.
The matter drew attention at a recent press conference when journalists quizzed World Anti-Doping Agency officials regarding these claims. WADAâs director general noted that non-doping performance methods fall outside their jurisdiction but the agency remains uninformed about these allegations. WADA President Witold Banka, however, acknowledged the curiosity surrounding the topic, humorously noting that ski jumpingâs popularity in Poland warranted further investigation.