Olympic Ski Jumpers Rumored of Using Hyaluronic Acid Injections to Skirt Suit Rules

Reports have surfaced alleging that male Olympic ski jumpers are using hyaluronic acid (HA) injections in their genitals to manipulate official body measurements. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are only just starting, and the games are already facing rumors of one of the strangest controversies in recent memory. Unnamed male Olympic ski jumpers, anxious for any possible advantage, are reportedly injecting hyaluronic acid fillers into their genitals.

This practice has emerged at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan just as the competitions are underway. Their goal is to increase the girth of their bodies so that, during official measurements, larger suits can be authorized: suits that provide more aerodynamic lift. They achieve this by turning to a substance commonly used in skincare, altering their anatomy enough to potentially deceive the 3D body scanners used by race officials. It should be noted that, besides using HA for skincare, it is also used for penile girth enhancement (PGE) procedures. The rumor first gained traction after being reported by the German tabloid Bild, prompting officials to respond publicly even though no evidence has been presented.

Olympic Ski Jumper’s Pursuit of Lift: Why Suit Size Matters

To understand this unusual situation, one must first look at the physics of ski jumping. In this sport, the athlete acts as a wing. Lift in ski jumping is shaped by the athlete’s overall surface area, meaning the skis, the body and the suit all contribute to how far a jumper can travel. The groin panel is especially sensitive because even small increases in that measurement can expand the suit’s surface area in a way that is difficult for officials to detect visually.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation maintains strict suit‑sizing rules to preserve fairness in the sport. Suits must conform to the athlete’s body measurements with a very small tolerance (typically 2 to 4 centimeters). If a suit is too loose, it creates extra lift by trapping air and letting the jumper glide farther. Officials use 3D scanners before the season to set each athlete’s approved suit dimensions. They also conduct random suit checks at major competitions to prevent manipulation.

By artificially increasing the girth of the groin area using fillers, an athlete could theoretically be approved for a suit with a wider crotch panel. While a few centimeters may seem negligible to the average person, in a sport where medals are decided by fractions of points and meters, a 5 percent increase in surface area can be the difference between gold and going home empty-handed.

Hyaluronic Acid: From Skincare to Scandal

The substance at the center of this controversy is hyaluronic acid. It is not a steroid, stimulant or traditional performance‑enhancing drug that boosts muscle growth or endurance. Rather, it is a gooey, slippery substance naturally produced by the human body, found primarily in the eyes, joints and skin. According to The Cleveland Clinic, artificial “Hyaluronic acid is often produced by fermenting certain types of bacteria. Rooster combs (the red, Mohawk-like growth on top of a rooster’s head and face) are also a common source.” According to medical experts, HA is a polymer that is exceptional at retaining water. One-and-one half gallons of water can be held with a simple quarter-teaspoon of hyaluronic acid.

In legitimate medical and cosmetic fields, it is a powerhouse ingredient. It is used to treat dry eyes, lubricate arthritic joints and help wounds heal. In the cosmetic world, it is widely used as a dermal filler to reduce wrinkles, add volume to lips and contour the face. Because it is a substance that naturally occurs in the body, HA is generally considered safe and has a low risk of rejection. However, its use for penile girth enhancement is a specific medical procedure that has been studied for efficacy and safety.

A study published in the World Journal of Men’s Health noted that hyaluronic acid fillers could significantly increase penile girth and were generally safe, though not without risks of inflammation or deformation at the injection site. Some medical experts have also questioned whether hyaluronic acid injections would meaningfully alter 3D scanner results, since swelling can be uneven and may not translate into a measurable advantage. In the context of the Olympics, however, the safety of the procedure is secondary to the intent behind it. The accusation is that athletes are misusing this medical product not for health or aesthetics, but for “equipment manipulation” via body modification.

WADA’s Response: Is It Doping?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has found itself in a unique position. WADA Director General Olivier Niggli addressed the rumors at a press conference in Milan, admitting he was unaware of the specific mechanics of how this would improve performance. “If anything was to come to the surface, we would look at it and see if it is doping-related,” Niggli stated. “We don’t address other means of enhancing performance.” WADA regulates chemical enhancement, while equipment manipulation typically falls under the authority of sport-specific federations, leaving this rumor in an unusual regulatory gap.

This highlights a gray area in sporting regulations. Doping usually refers to substances that chemically enhance athletic performance, making you stronger, faster or more focused. HA does none of those things. Instead, this practice falls closer to cheating via equipment tampering. It is less about changing the athlete’s physiology and more about hacking the rules that govern their gear.

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has denied any evidence of this practice occurring, with communications director Bruno Sassi stating there has never been an indication that competitors have used HA injections for this purpose. However, the sport is still reeling from a scandal last August, where Norwegian ski jumpers and staff were charged with ethics violations for physically altering suits with reinforced thread to increase size. This history of equipment tampering makes the current rumors harder to dismiss outright.

The Lengths Athletes Will Go

The situation shows just how heavy the competitive strain can be. When victories are decided by the narrowest margins, even extreme or illogical options can start to seem worth the risk. Fillers in such delicate tissue come with real medical risks, including infection, scarring and necrosis if done improperly.

Some athletes and coaches have dismissed the rumor as tabloid noise, while others say it unfairly distracts from the competition. The notion that someone would endanger their health and sexual function for a minor aerodynamic edge reveals just how punishing the Olympic pressure can become. As the games continue, scrutiny on the ski jumping events will be intense. 3D scanning protocols may need to be revisited, and the definition of “performance enhancement” may need to be rewritten. The world watches with a mix of confusion and fascination, wondering just how far some are willing to go to fly a little further. However, for now, no athlete has been charged, and these are just rumors.