Ski jumpers and injection rumors at the 2026 Olympics
Ski jumpers and penile injections have become one of the thorniest topics of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Josh Peter of USA TODAY Sports explains.
MILAN — A plastic surgeon known for penis enlargement surgeries that include hyaluronic acid injections said he offered the service to a ski jumper last month.
The claims come as the ski jumping competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics is in an unusual spotlight.
Reports in the German media have sparked speculation that ski jumpers are receiving injections to enlarge their genitals to increase the surface area of their suits, thereby increasing the distance they jump. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation called it an “outrageous rumor.” The World Anti-Doping Agency has announced that it will investigate whether there is any evidence to support the claim and whether it constitutes doping.
“Regarding the news in question, I actually treated an athlete in that sport, but obviously I will not reveal his name, his nationality, or whether he is participating in the Olympics,” Alessandro Rittala told USA TODAY Sports in an email. “But I can tell you that I treated him last month and used lots of hyaluronic acid.”
Rittala said the ski jumper told him he wanted the procedure to avoid embarrassment in the locker room after the competition.
“I can’t say whether he told me the whole truth or not, but in any case we did a good job and implanted more than enough hyaluronic acid,” Rittala said.
He added: “Results are immediate, so athletes can wear a new suit in just a few minutes.”
Who is the plastic surgeon?
Rittala told USA TODAY Sports that he has performed more than 3,000 penis enlargement surgeries using hyaluronic acid.
“So, I have some experience in this area,” he wrote.
According to a Germany-based organization called the UGRS Darmstadt Center for Penile Surgery, Rittala is “probably the leading physician in Europe in terms of experience, surgical record, and scientific research and publications on surgical penile enlargement…”
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr. Rittala graduated in medicine and surgery from the University of Pisa, where he was professor of genitourinary reconstructive surgery. The UGRS Darmstadt Center for Penile Surgery also refers to Rittala as a professor online. According to his website, Mr. Rittala is currently in private practice.
Rittala provided copies of his degree and medical certificate to USA TODAY Sports.
how it works
The topic of ski jumpers receiving penis enlargement injections came to public attention when a German newspaper published an article ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Bruno Sassi, communications director for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, wrote in an email to USA TODAY Sports: “As for the hyaluronic acid claims, this wild rumor started a few weeks ago as pure hearsay. There has never been any evidence, let alone indication, that competitors have used hyaluronic acid injections to gain a competitive advantage.”
But whether this surgery can help ski jumpers is another question.
It is widely accepted that the better a ski jumper’s suit fits an athlete’s body, the further the ski jumper can jump. And the crotch area of the suit is especially important.
“I have to say that it is technically possible,” plastic surgeon Ritala wrote.
Christopher Roy, a professor and aerodynamics expert at Virgina Polytechnic Institute, told USA TODAY Sports that he also thinks it could work.
“In ski jumping, the main goal is basically to maximize lift while minimizing drag,” Roy said. “And if we can do that, we can go even further.”
Roy also addressed the scandal involving the manipulation of ski jumpers’ suit sizes at the Nordic World Ski Championships in March.
The head coach and assistant coach of the Norwegian men’s team have been suspended for 18 months for manipulating jumpers at the Nordic World Ski Championships in March. The two ski jumpers involved in the incident each accepted three-month suspensions. According to ESPN, the suit’s controls were located in the groin area and could only be confirmed by tearing apart the suit’s seams.
Ski jumping scammers, beware
Bruno Sassi, communications director for the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, said 3D technology is being used as a deterrent against rule-breaking.
“The primary purpose is to identify and/or prevent potential manipulation or violation of equipment rules, particularly the intentional lowering of groin dimensions to gain an advantage over an opponent,” Sassi wrote in an email to USA TODAY Sports.
According to Sassi, testing will be carried out at the Olympics. He quoted:
- All suits are subject to technical approval before the event. That is, a check to ensure the suit is compliant (and to give the team the ability to adapt if necessary). Each athlete is entitled to two Olympic suits.
- All suits are microchipped so controllers know exactly which suit they are inspecting after each jump. Before each jump, the competitor’s suit will be scanned to ensure it is an approved suit.
- There will be no body scans at the Olympics. This was a one-time procedure at the beginning of the season to establish a baseline for each athlete’s measurements.
“Equipment management is a critical component of ski jumping and ensures the safety and fairness of the competition,” Sassi wrote. “An integral part of this procedure is the process of collecting athlete anthropometric data prior to the event so that these measurements can be compared to jumpsuit and other equipment sizes during competition.”
USA team finds humor in attention, denies injections
Three ski jumpers on the U.S. men’s Olympic team have vowed not to undergo injections to change their suit size. But he did not rule out the possibility that competitors could receive the shots.
“It’s hard to say if this has already been done or if people are doing it,” said Jason Colby, 19, who is based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and competing in his first Olympics. “And I think, scientifically speaking, it could work. But who knows what the other teams are doing behind closed doors.”
Plastic surgeon sheds more light
Hyaluronic acid is not only used for penis enlargement injections. Gel-like dermal fillers are also used to smooth facial wrinkles and lines.
Ritala writes that the procedure must be repeated to maintain the increased penis size.
“…The ski jumper certainly needs to maintain the desired volume, so (the procedure) has to be repeated,” Rittala explained. “The frequency depends on individual characteristics, but realistically at least three times a year.”
Rittala also noted that the impact of the procedures varies. Rittala specifically addressed whether the enlargement would help ski jumpers, writing, “Obviously, much depends on the amount of filler that is implanted. Usually at least 20 (milliliters) of hyaluronic acid is implanted, but that amount can be customized according to the individual’s needs.”
