Former British skiing star Chemmy Alcott has revealed she was forced to abandon a prosthetic chest plate at the 2010 Winter Olympics due to aerodynamic concerns, in an incident she likens to the recent 'penis-gate' controversy in ski jumping.
Speaking on the Sports Agents podcast, Alcott, now a BBC pundit, explained that she was racing with broken ribs in Vancouver. Team GB doctors fitted her with a synthetic chest plate, but because she was wearing a Wonderbra that day, the plate was larger than her natural size. Officials banned it, citing that it didn't allow air through for aerodynamics.
Alcott, 43, who has broken over 40 bones in her career, finished 11th in the women's downhill at those Games. The current Winter Olympics in Italy have been overshadowed by allegations that ski jumpers injected hyaluronic acid into their genitals to increase suit surface area, a practice the FIS says could enhance flight.
While hyaluronic acid is not a banned substance, WADA has said it could investigate if the practice is proven to be doping-related. The Milano Cortina 2026 Games run from February 6-22, with coverage on discovery+.
