Katie Falkingham
BBC Sport, Curtain of Ampeco
If evidence emerges that ski jumpers are injecting stimulants into their penises in an attempt to improve their performance, it could be investigated. World Anti-Doping Agency.
German newspaper Bild In January, it was reported that jumpers were injecting hyaluronic acid into their penises before being fitted for suits.
Hyaluronic acid, which is not banned in sports, can be used for increasing the circumference of the penis by one or two centimeters.
This would increase the surface area of their suits during competition, which, according to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), could extend their flight in the air.
"Every extra centimeter on the suit counts. If the suit has five percent more surface area, you fly further," said FIS men's ski jumping director Sandro Pertile.
"I am not familiar with ski jumping technique and how it could improve flights and performance," Olivier Nilli, director general of VADA, responded at a press conference.
"If any of that were to surface, we would analyze it to see if it was related to doping.
"We don't deal with other [non-doping] performance-enhancing drugs."
Apparently amused by the question, the Polish president of the WADA branch, Witold Banka, joked: "Ski jumping is very popular in Poland, so I promise I will watch it."
Bruno Sasi, FIS communications director, denied rumors about injections into penises in a statement to BBC Sport.
"There has never been any indication, let alone evidence, that any competitor has ever used hyaluronic acid injections to try to gain an advantage."
Before the start of each season, ski jumpers undergo measurements using a 3D body scanner, where they must wear only “elastic, tight underwear.”
The rules dictate that their suits must have a tolerance of just two to four centimeters, and as part of the measurement process, the height of their crotch is also measured.
The crotch height of their suit must be in accordance with the athlete's crotch height, with an addition of three centimeters for men.
The effects of hyaluronic acid injected into the penis can last up to 18 months.
There have been previous attempts to improve performance by manipulating suits.
Norwegian Olympic medalists Marius Lindvik and Johan Andre Forfang were given three-month suspensions for manipulating their suits during a competition on the large hill at the World Championships in Trondheim, Norway, in March.
Although it later emerged that the athletes were unaware of the manipulation, the FIS said that their team had "attempted to cheat the system" by placing reinforced thread in their suits.
Both Lindvik and Forfang will compete in Winter Olympics in Italy.
The men's ski jumping competition begins on Monday, February 9th.
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