Ski jumping's suit-cheating saga rolls on as 5 Norwegians are charged over 'manipulation'

Ski Jumping Scandals: Two Norwegian Gold Medalists Face Ethics Charges

OBERHOFEN, Switzerland — Two Olympic gold medalists and three members of Norway’s dominant ski jumping team face ethics violations from the International Ski Federation (FIS) following an investigation into alleged tampering with ski suits.

Marius Lindvik and Johann André Forfang, two star ski jumpers, along with two coaches and a member of the service staff were charged under FIS competition rules. The charges stem from “equipment manipulation” allegations that first surfaced during the world championships in Norway last March, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit ski jumping community.

Illegally modified suits could provide athletes with an unfair advantage, enabling them to fly further.

The FIS conducted a rigorous investigation involving 38 witness interviews and examination of 88 pieces of evidence. The ethics committee will now rule on the charges, which could result in bans or fines. No other individuals are facing charges in the case.

The FIS has already implemented stricter regulations on ski jump suits following the scandal. These changes led to a wave of disqualifications at the first competition of the new season this past Saturday. However, the FIS attributes these issues to technical problems and insists that there is no suspicion of “ill intent.”