On Feb. 5 (local time), German outlet Bild, citing an anonymous source, reported claims that some ski jumpers inject hyaluronic acid into their genitals or put clay in their underwear before suit measurements to temporarily increase the recorded size.
Ski jumping is a sport in which the suit can significantly affect results. Under the rules, suit size is set based on an athlete’s body measurements.
Even a small increase in measured size can allow a slightly larger suit surface area, which can provide an aerodynamic advantage and increase distance.
According to the scientific journal Frontiers, increasing suit size by 2 centimeters can extend jump distance by up to 5.8 meters.
In a related BBC report, Sandro Pertile, race director at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, said, “In jump suits, even 1 centimeter matters. If the surface area of the suit increases by just 5%, you can fly farther.”
Hyaluronic acid is not currently a banned substance.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said he does not know whether such actions improve performance, but added that “if anything is actually revealed,” the agency will examine whether it raises a doping-related issue.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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