Winter Olympics ‘penis-enlarging’ scandal could spark investigation, officials warn

Officials have warned that the Winter Olympics 'penis-enlarging' scandal could spark an investigation.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), whose primary role is to develop, harmonise, and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries, has said it could step in if proof emerges that male ski jumpers are injecting their penises to gain an athletic edge.

Last month, German outlet Bild reported that some jumpers were using hyaluronic acid injections, which can last up to 18 months, before suit measurements.

Now, while such a substance isn't banned in sport, it can increase penis circumference by one or two centimetres, and that added size could expand the surface area of a jumpsuit in competition.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) claims that a larger suit can improve lift in flight, with FIS ski jumping men's race director Sandro Pertile saying: "Every extra centimetre on a suit counts. If your suit has a 5 percent bigger surface area, you fly further."

WADA has responded to the 'penis-enlarging' scandal (Patrick Smith / Staff / Getty Images)

Speaking at a press conference during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, WADA director general Olivier Niggli addressed the claims directly.

He explained: "I am not aware of the details of ski jumping, and how that could improve performance.

"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."

WADA president Witold Banka added: "Ski jumping is very popular in Poland, so I promise you I'm going to look at it."

Meanwhile, FIS communications director Bruno Sassi pushed back on the suggestion.

"There has never been any indication, let alone evidence, that any competitor has ever made use of a hyaluronic acid injection to attempt to gain a competitive advantage," he said.

An investigation could be launched into male ski jumpers injecting their penises to gain an athletic edge (Getty Stock Images)

Athletes undergo 3D body scans before each season, wearing only elastic, body-tight underwear.

Suit regulations allow for just two to four centimetres of tolerance, with crotch height measured closely, with men's suits allowed to add three centimetres to the athlete’s natural measurement.

Attempts to gain advantage through suit manipulation are not new, as, back in August, Norwegian Olympic medallists Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang were handed three-month bans linked to tampered suits at the World Ski Championships in Trondheim.

While the pair were later cleared of direct involvement, FIS said their team had 'tried to cheat the system' using reinforced thread in jumpsuits.

Both are due to compete at the Winter Olympics, which open today (6 February) with the men’s ski jumping competition starting after the weekend on Monday (9 February).