It sounds like satire, but the World Anti-Doping Agency is investigating claims that some ski jumpers might be using hyaluronic injections in intimate areas before the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Winter Olympics in Milan - Cortina 2026 haven't even fully started, and they already have one of the most bizarre scandals in sports history. As reported by EuroNews, according to German newspaper Bild, there are suspicions that some ski jumpers are injecting hyaluronic acid into their penis to gain an aerodynamic advantage.
The claims haven't left the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) indifferent. Its president, Witold Bańka, confirmed they would look into the matter. It’s still unclear if this practice could be classified as doping, but the agency is investigating whether it’s a rule workaround.
How could this even work?
Hyaluronic acid, commonly used in cosmetic medicine, can temporarily increase volume by one to two centimeters. This could affect 3D body scans, which the International Ski Federation (FIS) uses to approve suit sizes. A larger dimension in the groin area would mean a looser suit and thus better flight properties.
Studies show that even small modifications to a suit can have a significant effect. The suit acts like a miniature parachute, and a few extra centimeters can provide more lift and air resistance, potentially resulting in jumps that are five to six meters longer.
Manipulation of suits isn’t new in ski jumping. In the past, athletes have been disqualified for non-compliant suits, which led to strict controls, 3D scans, and chips in suits. Whether this is a real trend or just an extreme attempt to bypass the system remains to be seen through the investigation.
