Winter Olympics 2026: Hyaluronic acid injections on genitals create furore; WADA chief vows investigation; Check how it will enhance ski jumpers' performance

A strange controversy has erupted at the 2026 Winter Olympics after reports suggested some ski jumpers might be injecting hyaluronic acid into their penis to try and gain an advantage. German newspaper Bild first reported the claims, as reported by The Guardian, saying jumpers may use these injections or even place clay in their underwear during suit measurements to make their groin area look slightly larger. Larger measurements can lead to looser, bigger ski jumping suits, and even small increases in suit surface area can improve aerodynamics and lift - potentially adding several meters to a jump.

Reacting to the incident, WADA director general Olivier Niggli said, "I am not aware of the details of ski jumping, and how that could improve performance," adding "If anything was to come to the surface, we would look at it and see if it is doping related. We don't address other (non-doping) means of enhancing performance."

While WADA chief Witold Banka reacted with a wry smile and promised to investigate the matter.


"Ski jumping is very popular in Poland (Banka’s home country) so I promise you I’m going to look at it," he said as quoted by The Guardian.

According to German newspaper Bild, some ski jumpers may be using new tactics to manipulate suit measurements, which are taken by a 3D scanner from the lowest point of their genitals. According to the report, these methods include injecting acid into the penis or placing clay in their underwear to temporarily increase measurements, allowing them to receive looser-fitting suits for competition.

According to The Guardian, Bild quoted a doctor, Kamran Karim, who said: “It is possible to achieve a temporary, visual thickening of the penis by injecting paraffin or hyaluronic acid. Such an injection is not medically indicated and is associated with risks.”

Under protocol, suits must match an athlete’s body measurements and are fitted before the start of each ski jumping season.

"Every extra centimeter on a suit counts," Sandro Pertile, race director for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), said in 2024 as quoted by CBS News. "If your suit has a 5% bigger surface area, you fly further."