The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has been asked to investigate extraordinary claims that ski jumpers are injecting their penises with hyaluronic acid to gain a competitive advantage. The allegations, first reported by the German newspaper Bild and dubbed 'Penisgate', suggest athletes are using the injections to temporarily increase genital size, thereby allowing for looser suits that improve aerodynamics.
Wada president Witold Bańka responded to the claims with a wry smile, saying: 'Ski jumping is very popular in Poland so I promise you I’m going to look at it.' The agency’s director general, Olivier Niggli, added that while he was unaware of the details, any method endangering health and violating the spirit of sport would be banned under Wada rules.
The allegations come after two Norwegian Olympic medallists, Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, received three-month suspensions last year for tampering with their suits’ crotch seams at the 2025 World Ski Championships. Norway’s head coach Magnus Brevik, assistant coach Thomas Lobben, and staff member Adrian Livelten were banned for 18 months for their involvement.
According to a study in the journal Frontiers, a 2cm increase in suit circumference reduces drag by 4% and increases lift by 5%, equivalent to an extra 5.8 metres in jump length. Bild quoted doctor Kamran Karim, who said injecting paraffin or hyaluronic acid can achieve temporary thickening of the penis but carries risks and is not medically indicated.
No hard proof has yet emerged to support the rumours. Wada’s list committee would examine whether such methods fall under doping regulations if evidence surfaces.
