As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan approach, a significant concern has emerged regarding allegations that some male skiers might be using hyaluronic acid injections to enhance their performance in competitions. These assertions stem from a report by a German tabloid that indicates athletes could be manipulating their anatomical measurements to create perceived advantages.

Manipulation of anatomical dimensions is under scrutiny since it can affect the fitting of competition suits, which are critical for performance in ski jumping. A report from Bild claimed that by injecting hyaluronic acid into their private areas, athletes could present larger measurements for their suits, which are designed for aerodynamic efficiency.

WADA’s director general, Olivier Niggli, expressed uncertainty about the details of how such practices could influence skiing performance but assured that any evidence presented would be thoroughly investigated for potential doping violations. He stated:

“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.”

Sandro Pertile, race director for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), previously noted the importance of suit size in ski jumping, emphasizing that even minor increases in suit surface area can lead to improved flight distance:

“Every extra centimeter on a suit counts. If your suit has a 5% bigger surface area, you fly further.”

This scrutiny comes after prior incidents last year when two Olympic gold medalists and three staff members from Norway’s ski jumping team faced ethics violations due to equipment manipulation.