What is hyaluronic acid, with which ski jumpers enlarged their penises for better results

Johann André Forfang (Norway) during a training session before the men's ski jumping competition at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. February 5, 2026. Photo: Daniel Karmann / picture alliance via Getty Images

In ski jumping, results are often decided by centimeters and even millimeters. As a recent study showed, even slight changes in the design of jumping suits can allow athletes to fly further.

A ski suit can act as a kind of parachute: the larger its overall size, the greater the surface area, which affects flight.

Every additional two centimeters of permissible suit size increase adds about 5% of lift and approximately 4% of air resistance.

Because of this, jumpers can add five to six meters to their result on a 130-meter jump, slowing their descent and maintaining horizontal speed.

Therefore, athletes try in various ways to increase the size of their suits, and, surprisingly, in the groin area, as it serves as the base point for determining the permissible suit dimensions.

Before the start of the season, all jumpers are measured using a 3D scanner. A special role is played by the so-called "crotch height" — the distance from the floor to the crotch. This parameter is fundamental for tailoring the suit.

The rules strictly regulate its parameters: the permissible leeway is only 2-4 centimeters, and the crotch height in a men's suit can be a maximum of 3 centimeters greater than the actual crotch height of the athlete himself.

If an athlete manages to artificially shift this point lower, he automatically gains a larger suit area, which creates additional lift during flight.

From foam to injections: the evolution of tricks

In the past, when measurements were taken manually, athletes would place foam around their testicles or use silicone inserts in condoms for better results. However, the use of foreign objects is now practically impossible: during measurements, which are conducted in underwear, medical personnel are always present to exercise strict control. Therefore, athletes are reportedly looking for other ways.

At the 2025 World Championships, two Norwegian medalists — Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang — received three-month disqualifications after it was revealed that their team had secretly adjusted the seams of their suits in the groin area. During a routine check, it was found that the elastic material in the crotch area had excessive stiffness.

When the suits were unstitched, reinforced threads were found sewn inside, which artificially increased the surface area of the fabric. The head coach, his assistant, and a national team employee were suspended for 18 months.

Павялічыць

Marius Lindvik (Norway) during qualification for the men's individual competition at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. February 1, 2026, Willingen, Germany. Photo: Tom Weller / Getty Images

In January, the German publication Bild reported that athletes had allegedly found a new way to circumvent the 3D scanning system — hyaluronic acid injections into the genital organ.

Last week, during a press conference before the Winter Olympics, the leadership of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had to answer the question of whether these reports were true.

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli noted that the agency does not yet possess detailed information but is ready to investigate the issue if concrete facts emerge, to understand whether doping might be involved.

In turn, Bruno Sassi, Communications Director for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), stated that at present there are no confirmations or evidence that any athlete has actually used such injections.

What is hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance originally present in every human body, specifically in the skin, joints, and eyeballs. It is known for its unique ability to retain moisture: it is scientifically proven that one molecule of this acid can bind a thousand times its own weight in water. Thanks to these properties, the substance has gained widespread popularity in modern cosmetology and medicine.

Hyaluronic acid is often used as facial fillers: injections are made into the lips to add volume, to correct cheekbone shape, or to fill deep wrinkles. In addition to aesthetic purposes, it is also widely used in medicine — for example, in the form of joint injections to improve mobility and lubricate tissues.

When considering the possible case with ski jumpers, the same principle is used as for lip augmentation. In modern male urological and plastic practice, dense hyaluronic acid-based fillers are applied.

By injecting the substance directly under the skin of the genital organ, a temporary increase in its circumference (but not length) by one or two centimeters can be achieved, with the effect lasting from 6 to 18 months.

Biocompatibility and the natural appearance of the organ after injection allow for unnoticed passage even through careful medical control. Meanwhile, the extra volume in the groin lowers the "crotch point," which entitles an athlete to a wider suit with better aerodynamics.

According to Bild, some national teams would like FIS to conduct additional re-3D measurements before the Olympic Games to correct possible errors or abuses. However, FIS Materials Manager Matthias Hafele stated that this is not currently planned, although work is already underway within the federation to improve the methodology. The goal is to make the skeletal structure (specifically the pelvic bones), rather than soft tissues, the determining factor in measurements.

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