Overview
- A report from Germany’s Bild alleged some male ski jumpers injected hyaluronic acid into their genitals to boost body-scan measurements and qualify for slightly larger, more aerodynamic suits.
- The International Ski and Snowboard Federation called the story hearsay and said there is no indication or evidence any athlete has used such injections.
- World Anti-Doping Agency leaders said they would examine any verifiable information to determine relevance to anti-doping rules, and hyaluronic acid is not on WADA’s prohibited list.
- U.S. team members deny using injections and say they have not encountered it in the sport, while acknowledging they cannot know what other teams do privately.
- Experts note small increases in suit surface area can enhance lift, a factor that has driven past rule-bending; Norway staff and two jumpers were sanctioned in 2025 for illegal crotch-area suit alterations, and doctors warn penile hyaluronic injections carry serious risks including infection, deformity, and rare tissue loss.