Winter Olympians ‘to have manhoods measured’ in penis cheating storm | Other | Sport

Ski jumping, a staple of the Winter Olympics since 1924, is currently under an unusual spotlight due to allegations of cheating. As the sport prepares for the Milano Cortina Games, which kick off on Wednesday ahead of the grand opening ceremony at the iconic San Siro, concerns are mounting over potential scandal.

For ski jumpers, their first of two compulsory training sessions is slated for Friday, with the sport wrapping up with the men’s super team finals on Monday, 16 February. However, there are worries about the extreme lengths some male athletes might go to in pursuit of Olympic glory.

According to German outlet Bild, “penis-gate” has emerged as a significant issue within ski jumping. It’s suggested that some competitors may be injecting hyaluronic acid into their genitals to secure a competitive edge.

Ski suits are subject to strict regulations and must conform precisely to an athlete’s body measurements. These details are collected before each season using a 3D scanner, which determines an individual’s stride length from the lowest point of the genital area.

A larger suit can enhance performance, as increased surface area can slow descent speed and improve stability. In theory, a male ski jumper could boost their performance by enlarging their manhood.

The report alleges that certain athletes inject hyaluronic acid to artificially enhance their genital measurements prior to the 3D scanning process. To date, no competitor has been officially charged with employing this tactic.

Team Norway were discovered to have tampered with the crotch area of their competition suits at last year’s World Championships.

Head coach Magnus Brevik, assistant coach Thomas Lobben and staff member Adrian Livelten were issued 18-month suspensions, whilst defending Olympic large hill ski jump champion Marius Lindvik and two-time medallist Johann Andre Forfang received three-month bans.

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Dr Kamran Karim, a senior consultant at Maria-Hilf Hospital in Krefeld, explained to BILD: “It is possible to achieve a temporary, visual thickening of the penis by injecting paraffin or hyaluronic acid. However, this does not lengthen it. Such an injection is not medically indicated and is associated with risks.”

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) are reportedly weighing up measuring stride length manually. Pressure mounted for the FIS to introduce additional safeguards before the Winter Olympics.

“Currently, no further measurements are planned,” FIS equipment chief Matthias Hafele stated last month. “However, we are already working on methods to improve this complex problem.”

An additional security measure has now been introduced, with officials implementing a control checkpoint where a tamper-proof microchip is fitted to each suit after 3D scanning. The Winter Olympics are set to take place from Wednesday, February 4, until Sunday, February 22.

The Games will feature 116 events spanning eight sports and 16 disciplines.